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The AFC Asian Cup 2023 will be held in Qatar after the original host China stated that it would be unable to host...
Digital Desk: India withdrew its bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup on Monday, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) stating that hosting large-scale events is not one of its "strategic priorities" at this time.
After nations such as Iran and Uzbekistan dropped out of the race in October, India and Saudi Arabia were the only two countries left as bidders for the 2027 continental event.
India's bid was launched with much excitement in 2020 when Praful Patel was the AIFF president, but the current administration under Kalyan Chaubey believes that "creating the foundations of football structure" through grassroots and youth development is more important than hosting large events.
"As per the strategic roadmap of the federation, which will be announced later this month, the AIFF management thinks hosting of big events doesn't fit into the federation's strategic priorities," the AIFF said in a release, quoting its executive committee.
"Our current focus is building the foundations of proper footballing structure before thinking of hosting bigger events like the AFC Asian Cup," it added.
Chaubey said that India has always been "a superb and efficient host" of major games such as the recently concluded FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, but the emphasis will now turn to boosting the country's football at all levels, from grassroots to youth development.
"The EC has decided that the federation's overall strategy will continue to focus on the fundamental aims of strengthening our football at every level, from grassroots to youth development," he said.
"At the same time, we must empower our stakeholders, particularly the state associations, and work closely with clubs to bring change in all aspects of domestic football. All such aspects will be truly implemented when the roadmap is announced later this month," he added.
AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran said, "Our strategy is quite straightforward. Before scheduling to hold significant international competitions, we must prioritize game development."
"Hosting tournaments necessitates substantial resources and occasionally encourages the tendency to divert attention away from critical issues. Our current priority should be moving Indian football ahead as a team," he added.
The AFC said it will now present Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2027 tournament to its Congress, to be held in February in Manama.
"The AFC has been officially notified by the AIFF of their decision to withdraw their bid from the AFC Asian Cup 2027 host selection process."
"The AFC Congress will select the final host in February 2023 in Manama, Bahrain. Following the withdrawal of the AIFF bid, SAFF's bid to host the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 will be the sole one offered for consideration at the 33rd AFC Congress."
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 will be held in Qatar after the original host China stated that it would be unable to host the tournament owing to the COVID-19 situation in that country.
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