From correspondents in West Bengal, India, 09:30 PM IST
Upset at the verbal exchanges between Indian football coach Bob Houghton and state football associations, All India Football Federation chief Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi Friday stressed that the two 'should concentrate on their own work by talking less'.
'I have only one advice (to both parties). Both should concentrate on their own work by talking less,' Dasmunsi told newspersons on the sidelines of a function here.
Dasmunsi, however, refused to add to the controversy. 'I have read what Houghton has said. And also what the IFA (Indian Football Association) said in reply'.
Dejected after India's recent defeat in the SAFF Cup final to Maldives, Houghton alleged that associations like IFA considered their state leagues more vital than the professional I-League, which he felt 'was holding Indian football back'.
The IFA reacted promptly, with its secretary Utpal Ganguly saying the allegations were an effort on Houghton's part to cover up the failure of the national team.
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And, too, the government's thinking in regard to sports must be totally changed, and it should create a healthy environment to foster indigenous as well as non-cricket sports, by providing a lot, lot of facilities without direct official involvement,but only broad direction.
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