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Sukhvinder Throws His Heart In The Fray For AIFF General Secretary's Post
All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) marketing chief, Sukhvinder Singh has filed in his papers for the post of the India FA general secretary on the final day before the curtain came down...
16-Jul-2009 2:35:52 PM
Speaking to Goal.com, Sukhvinder Singh said, “Since
Mr.Colaco decided to leave and has been speaking of in favour of youngsters
coming in. I kept asking myself as to what was the profile needed for this job –
passion, energy, knowledge. Do I fit the bill? After much consideration, I feel
I can be the representative of the younger generation.”
His passion for the game is certainly there for all to see. Why would anyone leave a high profile job at two of the most noted MNC’s to do a job, which not many would envy – market Indian football? Certainly, the person would have lost his mind to do so, but not this 29 year old MBA, who believes in Indian football and has been quick to turn his belief into action, unlike most.
“When I moved to AIFF from Nike, a lot of people felt that it was a bad move but all along, I knew that it was a great move. Marketing Indian football is a challenge and is difficult, but the satisfaction you gain on moving from point A to B is immense. The excitement of overcoming these obstacles, which are 10% more than what I had earlier, is very pleasing,” adds Sukhvinder.
The greatest asset which this candidate brings on the table is having seen the best of the two worlds, that of corporate life, and of the administrative set-up at the AIFF, which does make him unique.
“In the last five years or so, the AIFF has been doing well and the pace has been set for progress. What we need to ensure is that the process goes on and harness the progress made. We need fresher ideas, not a complete overhaul of the existing structures but a fine tuning of what we have. By this, we can increase the pace of growth many times,” explains Sukhvinder.
The former Cafe Coffee Day marketing head also feels that those working for the people’s game in the country aren’t really “proud” of what they are doing.
“It’s essential to feel proud when working for the game. When I interact with people, they may not be the best, but within their capacities are giving in 110% which motivates me that if they can, why can’t I?” points the marketing man.
Sukhvinder opines that there is a need to instil the vision into everyone, which includes the fans, clubs, state associations and the media, and thereby have the “football family” work towards the path of progress, which shall ultimately guarantee success in the efforts put in.
“Have we ever percolated the vision into the hearts and the minds of people, which includes everyone involved today in football? Maybe, it’s time we have to and thereby, have the football family work on the grounds of understanding and the common language, which is to define, what is it that we are working for in totality by keeping an eye on the future which shall be truly motivational for all,” illustrates Sukhvinder.
And the marketing man has been a “football guy” through and through having represented his state in the Santosh Trophy and also having trained at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Gujarat. During his graduation, he also worked on self funding schemes, which included selling vegetables, to survive their football club called ‘Providence.’ Yes, it does sound like a story from a Bollywood movie, but it’s true!
Most importantly, Sukhvinder is well aware of the various hurdles in the process of making Indian football a ‘cool commodity’ and feels that it‘s just about putting the right story together.
“A lot of networking has to be done and thereafter, raise awareness about football in India and its potential. One has to put the right story together and sit with people. I believe half the job is done there,” said the marketing professional.
His final words are, indeed, motivational for all those who only believe and sadly, don’t act.
“While having sacrificed a full-fledged professional career at an MNC, I desire to be an important part of this team and hopefully achieve the goals that have been set. This shall be nothing less than the ultimate motivation for me to put in the highest level of efforts, energy and passion for football in our country,” adds Sukhvinder.
Rahul Bali.
His passion for the game is certainly there for all to see. Why would anyone leave a high profile job at two of the most noted MNC’s to do a job, which not many would envy – market Indian football? Certainly, the person would have lost his mind to do so, but not this 29 year old MBA, who believes in Indian football and has been quick to turn his belief into action, unlike most.
“When I moved to AIFF from Nike, a lot of people felt that it was a bad move but all along, I knew that it was a great move. Marketing Indian football is a challenge and is difficult, but the satisfaction you gain on moving from point A to B is immense. The excitement of overcoming these obstacles, which are 10% more than what I had earlier, is very pleasing,” adds Sukhvinder.
The greatest asset which this candidate brings on the table is having seen the best of the two worlds, that of corporate life, and of the administrative set-up at the AIFF, which does make him unique.
“In the last five years or so, the AIFF has been doing well and the pace has been set for progress. What we need to ensure is that the process goes on and harness the progress made. We need fresher ideas, not a complete overhaul of the existing structures but a fine tuning of what we have. By this, we can increase the pace of growth many times,” explains Sukhvinder.
The former Cafe Coffee Day marketing head also feels that those working for the people’s game in the country aren’t really “proud” of what they are doing.
“It’s essential to feel proud when working for the game. When I interact with people, they may not be the best, but within their capacities are giving in 110% which motivates me that if they can, why can’t I?” points the marketing man.
Sukhvinder opines that there is a need to instil the vision into everyone, which includes the fans, clubs, state associations and the media, and thereby have the “football family” work towards the path of progress, which shall ultimately guarantee success in the efforts put in.
“Have we ever percolated the vision into the hearts and the minds of people, which includes everyone involved today in football? Maybe, it’s time we have to and thereby, have the football family work on the grounds of understanding and the common language, which is to define, what is it that we are working for in totality by keeping an eye on the future which shall be truly motivational for all,” illustrates Sukhvinder.
And the marketing man has been a “football guy” through and through having represented his state in the Santosh Trophy and also having trained at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Gujarat. During his graduation, he also worked on self funding schemes, which included selling vegetables, to survive their football club called ‘Providence.’ Yes, it does sound like a story from a Bollywood movie, but it’s true!
Most importantly, Sukhvinder is well aware of the various hurdles in the process of making Indian football a ‘cool commodity’ and feels that it‘s just about putting the right story together.
“A lot of networking has to be done and thereafter, raise awareness about football in India and its potential. One has to put the right story together and sit with people. I believe half the job is done there,” said the marketing professional.
His final words are, indeed, motivational for all those who only believe and sadly, don’t act.
“While having sacrificed a full-fledged professional career at an MNC, I desire to be an important part of this team and hopefully achieve the goals that have been set. This shall be nothing less than the ultimate motivation for me to put in the highest level of efforts, energy and passion for football in our country,” adds Sukhvinder.
Rahul Bali.
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