Kushal Das, All India Football Federation, general secretary, informed that the duration of the preparatory camp for the Nehru Cup international football tournament will be for three weeks.
“Clubs got in touch with us, citing FIFA rules stipulating two weeks for national camps. We scheduled it for three weeks in keeping with coach Wim Koevermans’ advise, he wanted more time to have a look at the boys.”
The Nehru Cup, scheduled in August-September in New Delhi, is Indian national coach Wim Koevermans’ first assignment. “My work begins when I get to see the boys.” Major I-League clubs had intimated the federation in writing, stating refusal to release players for national duty for more than 15 days. Three weeks is a reasonable time I feel,” said Das.
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The federation is still to decide the camp venue and dates, with Delhi and Bangalore as venue options.
Asked to specify any appearance fee for probables shortlisted for the Nehru Cup camp and players selected for the tournament, the AIFF secretary said payment will be in form of DA and other expenses, ruling out any appearance fees to the Indian internationals, most of them contracted to various I-League clubs from season to season.