Prof. Dr. Kiran Pandurang Chougule, Hon. Secretary WIFA
I am greatly honoured to be associated with the Western India Football Association (WIFA) for the past many years and I’m proud to currently serve the Association in the capacity as the Hon. Secretary.
WIFA, formed in July 1911, is the governing body of football for Maharashtra. The Association has a rich history and has contributed immensely to the development and promotion of football in the country. It gives me great pleasure to mention that WIFA has produced many talented footballers who have made Maharashtra proud by representing India on the International stage, including the Olympics and Asian Games. In the past, we have organized and hosted many major tournaments like the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy and the All-India Rovers Cup, which is a ‘Blue Riband’ event of the Indian football calendar.
Maharashtra has also done reasonably well in the Santosh Trophy having emerged supreme on three occasions and finishing runners-up five times.
Football is growing by leaps and bounds in Maharashtra. Besides conducting football events for men and women and children of various age categories, WIFA has also been concentrating on the development of coaches, by organizing the different AIFF and AFC licensing courses, grassroots development programs, referees’ classes and many other football-related initiatives.
I conclude with an assurance that Maharashtra will continue to grow and be a powerhouse of this ‘Beautiful Game’ in the country, as termed by the legendary Pele.