AFC chief critical of India's facilities

Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam was critical of India's poor soccer set-up on Monday.

"With the actual constructions Indian football has, I don't think that India should dream about being at world level even after 100 years," he told journalists.

The Asian soccer chief in on a four-day visit of India along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Hammam said he had visited the facilities of three of the best Indian clubs in Kolkata on Sunday and saw no future for the clubs.

"Companies from outside are willing to buy clubs in India, but are not sure what the rules and regulations are (in India)," he said.

On Sunday, Blatter said the sport's governing body has big plans for India in their Vision Asia plan and also announced a special solidarity financial support of $400,000.

"In the 1960s,

Twice Asian Games winners, India beat Japan in the bronze medal playoff at the 1970 Games before Japan became Asia's soccer powerhouse and India began its slide towards obscurity.

A nation of 1.1 billion people, India is ranked 165th in the world.

"There are promising footballers, good technical play, but seeing the stadiums it looks like they were built in past centuries with no renovations made," Blatter said on Monday.

"Football has a history in India but we have to prepare for a better future."