The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry had organized an online session on "Future of Indian Football Post COVID19 Scenario" to address the concerns of the football lovers who are waiting to see actions on the Ground. Apart from the Football lovers of the country various State Associations like Orissa Football Association, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur Association and IFA, joined the webinar.

Excerpts from the Webinar:
Mr. Subrata Dutta, Chairperson, The Bengal Chamber Sports Development Committee while giving the welcome address mentioned, - The current situation has created an unprecedented complexity of logistical, financial and legal issues and dilemmas for the Indian football ecosystem. All the sports loving people of our country are keen to know the future of Indian Football post COVID-19 scenario. So the Sports Development Committee of Bengal Chambers thought it would be apt to organise a webinar with Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation to address various issues.

He also mentioned that, the AIFF is trying to lift the standard of Indian football from the grass root level by focusing on the junior football leagues. Nearly 4000 teams play baby league and 58 teams play HERO Elite League every year. The focus is to make them play maximum number of matches, as the approach is Competition Oriented development.

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF, focused on the AIFF Master Programme to groom sports professionals including officials, referee, and other support staffs. The plan is to send referees to either Germany or Netherlands to understand the coaching system of those countries. AIFF plans to reschedule ISL and I-League sometime in November in Goa & Kolkata respectively as these venues have multiple stadiums in the same city. He also said probably the matches will be held closed door as the safety of the players are of utmost importance to the Federation. He thanked the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 15 Cr. grants for the establishment of National Centre of Excellence in Newtown.

Mr. Dhiman Sarkar, renowned Sports Journalists of Hindustan Times, moderated the session.

Mr. Smarajit Purakayastha, Deputy Director General, The Bengal Chamber, thanked the Participants and specially the Speakers for throwing light on their plans to take Indian Football forward through the days of pandemic and beyond.