'2010 WC is our next target'

MARGAO: Albert Coloaco, secretary of the All India Football Federation, is widely respected for his administrative skills and commitment to excellence. And in an effort to get an insight into the new schemes and AIFF’s current state of affairs, TNN spoke to Colaco.
Excerpts:
What is AIFF’s Vision 2010 project and where have we reached?
We have set ourselves a target of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.For that we must be among Asia’s top 10. This project is named Vision 2010. We have taken a small step by trying to introduce a youth development programme starting with the under-13 at the state, zonal and national level. Our current U-18 boys in training now will be 24-25 at that time while our U-23 players will be around 29 to 30. It will give us an ideal blend of youth and experience.
So are we banking on these two batches to form the nucleus of the Vision 2010? Is it not too late for these age-groups as they should have begun training at the under-10 or 13 level?
Won’t something beyond 2015 be a more realistic target?
Some say the target is over-ambitious. But we need a target. The main target is to get into the Asia top 10. I think realistically we can do it. Today, when we have our best eleven players, we can perform consistently against any team in Asia except the top six, seven teams.
You have put tremendous faith in national team coach Stephen Constantine?
He has produced results with the teams he has coached and importantly the players have shown an improvement in their game under him.
Given the projects, the task in hand appears monumental? Do you have the necessary support to execute them?
Yes I have full support, but when it comes to staff, it is inadequate. We have a strength of nine including myself, while smaller countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have 40 employees. AFC has analysed our problem and suggested setting up a proper administrative structure. We have submitted a proposal and it has been accepted by the AFC and FIFA. However we will have experts as the head of each departments. Dr Victor Stanculescu, has already been appointed by the AFC, who will be here this month to set up the department.
Is the financial aid provided by FIFA adequate to sustain the association?
FIFA pays us $2,50,000 per year and it is for Youth Development Project. It is only 10% of our budget.
There was talk of getting players of Indian origin who are doing well in other countries to play for the National teams?
We have to study the dual citizenship rules. Once there is a possibility, we will need a positive response from them. We have a list of players and Constantine is in touch with them. We will be having a player of Indian origin from Denmark appearing for the final phase of the Milk Cup trials. He is the top-scorer in his age group level league there.