16 April,2011 08:07 AM IST | | Vivek Ajinkya
India football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty launched the Indian Football Development Society (IFDS) in Mumbai yesterday. IFDS is an NGO aiming to improve the condition of Indian football and will work towards ensuring Indian participation in FIFA World Cup 2022 and also acquiring hosting rights for the 2026 edition.
Resul Pookuttyu00a0with Bhaichung Bhutia at the launch of Indian Football
Development Society in Juhu yesterday
Resul, admitted the first step would be to popularize the sport with the masses. He vows to get stars from Bollywood to back the project. "There are many people in the film industry who love the sport. I will be speaking with them soon and am sure of a positive response," said Resul, who bagged the oscar for best sound mixing in Slumdog Millionaire.
IFDS will focus on developing youth football. They plan to hold football camps all over the country and select 50 children and train them, with the aim that they make the World Cup 2022 Indian squad.
The camps will start later this month. "We will start work from grassroot level. Indian sportspersons very rarely get the right kind of backing. We will do our all to nurture and promote talent," said Bhutia. Former India players CC Jacob and IM Vijayan are also part of IFDS and will help with the camps.
