Bhutia wants big role of Technical Committee in AIFF

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia today said he wants the AIFF Technical Committee, which he is heading now, to play a big role in the development of the game in the country and not an entity that meets once in three years as has been the case earlier.
A few years back, former Technical Committee chairman Mohd. Habib had said that the panel met once in three years.
Bhutia said that he would do his best to ensure that the Technical Committee plays a big role in the betterment of Indian football.
"During my playing days, the players even didn't know whether there was a Technical Committee of the AIFF. We had not heard of it," Bhutia said at the sidelines of an event.

"I also heard that the Technical Committee met once in three years. But I don't want this to happen. It will be my challenge to ensure that the Technical Committee play a big role in the development of Indian football.
"The AIFF should use the services of the Technical Committee members and get benefits. And we are ready for our contribution for the good of Indian football," he added.

Other members of the newly-appointed Technical Committee are former India players Henry Menezes, Parminder Singh, and Prasun Banerjee, along with former officials Lalnghinglova Hmar and Savio Messias.
Bhutia was talking to reporters at the sidelines of a grassroot-level programme organised by NGO Magic Bus in collaboration with Asian Football Development Project, the brainchild of FIFA Vice-President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein.

Al Hussien of the royal family of Jordan, and Bhutia launched the programme called "Kick for Hope" meant for underprivileged children.
Bhutia said his club Sikkim United, which is set to be relegated to second division after playing their first I-League season this year, would bounce back soon to feature in the top tier again.