New Delhi: What was the secret behind the Indian men’s football team’s recent success at the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers? Was it the adage ‘Nothing Succeeds Like Success,’ a lot of hard work, just luck or lucky stars?
Well, it seems the All India Football Federation (AIFF) did make an effort to have the stars aligned. AIFF splurged Rs 16 lakh on an astrology agency that it had hired to “motivate” the national team, which confirmed its berth in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup Final, news agency PTI reported.
“A motivator was appointed for the National team ahead of the Asian Cup. Later on, it came to light that the company which was engaged, was an astrological firm,” a team insider told PTI. “Plainly-speaking, an astrologer was appointed to motivate the team. Huge payment to the tune of Rs 16 lakh was made,” the source claimed.
The astrological firm apparently took three sessions with the Blue Tigers. Sunando Dhar, who is the acting AIFF general secretary, was not available for comments, PTI said.
Former India goalkeeper Tanumoy Bose told PTI that it was just a “smoke screen” since the AIFF officials are quite capable of using the money to sponsor their upcoming foreign trips.
“The Committee of Administrators (CoA) (which is running the show in AIFF after the suspension of president Praful Patel) must go deep into this appalling incident and find out who all are responsible behind it. There are many scams waiting to see the light of the day,” he added.
The Supreme Court had last month appointed a three-member CoA to manage the affairs of AIFF, ending Praful Patel’s long reign at the helm.
