Rob Baan signs two-year deal with AIFF

October 11, 2011 | Sports | Written by

New Delhi, Oct 11: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Tuesday signed a two-year deal with Dutch coach Rob Baan as the new technical director.

Baan, who has earlier worked with the Australian Football Federation, would be responsible for drafting an Indian football master plan.

Baan, 68, has an experience of four decades with stints with the Dutch FA, Feyenoord Rotterdam, ADO Den Haag and the UAE.

He was an assistant manager of the Netherlands national team for five years and at PSV Eindhoven for three years.

AIFF president Praful Patel hoped Baan’s appointment will take Indian football to new heights.

‘This is definitely the most important initiative undertaken by the AIFF jointly with FIFA and OSF for grassroot and youth development of Indian Football. I am confident that the appointment of the Technical Director along with establishing Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian Football to a new level,’ Patel said in a statement.

AIFF general-secretary Kushal Das called it a step in the right direction.

‘We are very pleased with the appointment of our new technical director Mr. Rob Baan as part of our master agreement with Orange Sports Forum. Mr. Baan will be responsible for structuring the development plan jointly with FIFA and laying the philosophy of Indian football for the future.’

‘AIFF aims to establish four Regional Football Academies and one Elite Academy by 31st March 2012. These Academies will be developed with Technical Support from FIFA, Philips and PSV. Mr. Baan will work closely with AIFF/FIFA, PSV and Philips to get the best possible structure and design of the Academies to achieve optimal results as quickly as possible. We trust that over the next few years the level of our National squads will improve significantly as will our FIFA ranking.’

Baan thanked the AIFF for giving him the chance to work with Indian football.

‘It is fantastic that AIFF has given me the chance to use my year-long expertise in India. Recent research reports have shown that football is a sport with huge potential in India. With its dazzling 1.2 billion people, rich history and culture India is a sleeping giant,’ Baam said.

‘In the next two years I will work hard together with PSV and AIFF to lay the groundwork for the future of Indian football. I see it as my job to create the right conditions based on the Dutch school but with a strong Indian signature.’

IANS