Kaho na pyar hai

Mr Praful Patel is a good host. I must admit. Invited by him to attend a dinner at his sprawling kothi in central Delhi, we were happy. Rarely we have seen AIFF presidents hosting journalists and AIFF officials together at their residence. Mr Patel seemed to be an exception.

With Bob Houghton firing his salvo against AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco, the get together last week became very important. AIFF members from "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" had assembled right at the power centre on that night. It wasn't surprising to see everybody wore a wry and a forced smile. Most of them were tight-lipped about Bob Houghton's resignation besides the ridiculous manner in which the Federation work is handled by Colaco, who however looked somewhat lost in the crowd. In the darkness of the night, it was becoming difficult to read his face. We also couldn't notice whether his cheek glistened with tears. After all, he is the person who has brought Indian football to such a standstill. I think he was feeling a bit embarassed to move around in the crowd.

But one thing I still couldn't understand. Why the influential members (vice-presidents & ex-co members) remained quiet even after his spat with the English coach. But nobody knows who had authorised the Goan to look for a new coach. If Colaco has been branded as incompetent, what would you say about the members who enjoy all-paid trip to Delhi, gulp a couple of pegs and then hob-nob with the ministers.

Actually, none of these officials want to blast Colaco in the open. But whenever there has been a Colaco-bashing in the media, they would smile. That's it. At the AIFF meetings, none of them would be vocal. So, what are their roles? Participate in gossips and add fuel to the fire? Or look for outstation tours with the Indian teams. Ask them about the development programmes, I'm sure, they will stammer. Enquire about their contribution to their respective states, they will drag you into a different conversation.

We have been told and re-told about Bob's status that he is staying. But Colaco didn't speak much because he had already spoiled everything. So finally, with all his experience, Mr Patel had to douse the flame (Bob controversy), for now. And Colaco heaved a sigh of relief.