FIFA appoints Rufus developmental manager for South Asia

FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match commissioner Prince Rufus has been appointed the global body's developmental manager for South Asia, sources confirmed on Friday.

Kolkata-based Rufus, who has worked with city soccer giants Mohun Bagan before and was also with I-League champions Aizawl FC, will take over as FIFA's as representative in India and other South Asian countries from Shaji Prabhakaran, who vacated office earlier this year.

"He will be tasked with conducting FIFA's developmental programmes here and countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan," a source told IANS on condition of anonymity.

After taking over, Rufus will have to leave his match commissioner's post.

Prabhakaran, who is now with I-League second division club Delhi United, was the FIFA regional development officer for South and Central Asia for almost half a decade.

A development manager's job is to liaise with FIFA on the developmental activities in the region from time to time.

--IANS

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