FIFA president Infantino has been supportive and encouraging: Chaubey

Panaji: Newly-elected All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey’s meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino happened sooner than expected.
Infantino, president of the governing body for world football, was among the first to congratulate Chaubey after his stunning 33-1 win against former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia last week.
During the phone call, Infantino invited Chaubey for a meeting either in Zurich, Paris or Doha.
The former India goalkeeper wanted to take his time before the discussion but accepted the Doha invite, where a meeting happened at the FIFA office, before the Lusail Super Cup that saw Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal SFC and Egyptian Premier League winners Zamalek battle for honours.
“President Infantino met his new counterpart from the AIFF in Doha and the two presidents wasted no time in discussing a wide range of men’s, women’s, youth and grassroots development plans for football in India,” FIFA said in a statement on Friday.
FIFA said Infantino held a meeting to personally congratulate Chaubey upon his recent election.
“(FIFA's support) is very essential, as they help to promote sport in India,” said Chaubey. “So, that’s how we have spoken with the FIFA president and I am honoured that he has given his stamp and I’m happy and looking forward to FIFA and the All India Football Federation working together to take Indian football to international level. Mr Infantino has been really supportive and encouraging, and I hope that we will go a long, long way.”
The AIFF is in the final stages of its preparations to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, which will be played across three host cities – Goa, Mumbai and Bhubaneshwar – next month.
Chaubey updated Infantino on the progress and discussed harnessing the opportunity it creates across the country.
“The AIFF, allied with the government of India, has identified 40 places, 40 cities and areas where this FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup replica will be taken, and then each of the 40 places will have one match, one football match.
“We will ensure that people living across India will come to know about how the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is going to take place, and I’m sure, having a (female) President of India this time and a FIFA Women’s World Cup being played, it’s going to have a huge impact for Indian women across the globe,” said Chaubey.