Fri, Jul 4 07:56 PM
Kolkata, Jul 4 (PTI) Irked by the war of words between Bob Houghton and the state football associations, All India Football Federation President Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi today advised the national coach to focus only on his job. Refusing to comment on Houghton's remarks that state associations, like the Indian Football Association in Bengal, was responsible for slowing down the game's development, Dasmunshi said, "I've read about his comments and the IFA's response.
I don't want to comment on this." He, however, made clear what he wanted to convey to Houghton, saying, "It's better to show your output in work rather than talking too much.
" The AIFF chief, who was in the city, was evidently unhappy with the national coach's recent remarks on various issues. A "frustrated" Houghton earlier rued that associations like IFA considered their state leagues more important than the I-League, which, he felt, "was holding Indian football back".
The IFA was quick to react with its secretary Utpal Ganguly, holidaying in USA, saying that such allegations were an effort on Houghton's part to cover up the failure of the national team. Incidentally, Houghton was also engaged in a verbal duel with his predecessor coach Sayeed Nayeemuddin, who demanded the Englishman's ouster after India's defeat in the SAFF Championship final.
Houghton said he was surprised by the attack from Nayeemduddin who, he claimed, had once wanted to work as his deputy. Nayeemuddin admitted he had contacted Houghton to learn things but denied wanting to work as his assistant.
PTI.
