Indian Football Association is a one and only organization which is governing the Indian National Football team for both male and female. This institution is also responsible for developing football in India in both infrastructure and popularity.
History of Indian Football Association
Indian Football Association abbreviated as IFA, is an oldest organization that administers association football in the state of West Bengal. It was founded in 1893. Among the founders was former England international Elphinstone Jackson.
Introduction of Football in India
Football was introduced to India by British Government in India in the mid-nineteenth century. It spread because of the efforts of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari. In 1888 the Durand Cup was founded by then India`s Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Shimla. From that time Indian Football Association came into existence.
Indian Football Association in Modern India
When India became independent in the year 1947, Indian Football Association is administered by All India Football Federation (AIFF). However, before the formation of the AIFF the IFA was in de facto control of football in India by virtue of its administration by Englishmen as well as its affiliation to the Football Association of England. The Indian Football Association was instrumental in creating the AIFF to govern football on a national basis.
Tournaments by Indian Football Association
Indian Football Association of West Bengal organizes tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the IFA Shield. Indian Football Association is also responsible for the development of West Bengal football team. Bengal football team is an Indian football team representing West Bengal in the Santosh Trophy.
Indian Football Association and West Bengal football team
West Bengal football team with the headquarter in Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata is funded by Indian Football Association of West Bengal.
Stadium of Indian Football Association
The stadium of Indian Football Association is Yuva Bharati Krirangan or Salt Lake Stadium. Saltlake Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Bidhannagar region of Eastern part of Kolkata, West Bengal. Yuva Bharati Krirangan is the second largest non-auto racing stadium in the world and the largest in the Indian sub-continent.