In this special episode of the Indie Football Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Shaji Prabhakaran, the President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), for an in-depth conversation about his ambitious vision for the future of Indian football. Shaji has been at the forefront of football development in India, and his journey to the helm of the AIFF is both inspiring and deeply influential. With years of experience working behind the scenes, he has been instrumental in pushing the growth of the sport in a country where cricket has traditionally reigned supreme. We explore how his passion for football began, what motivated him to take on the massive responsibility of leading the AIFF, and how he plans to steer Indian football towards a brighter, more competitive future. In our discussion, Shaji talks about the critical importance of grassroots football and how developing talent at the local level is key to India's rise on the global stage. We delve into the initiatives he has spearheaded to build stronger infrastructure in his time managing footballin Delhi, better coaching systems, and youth development programs that can nurture India’s next generation of football stars. He shares his insight into the structural reforms that are being implemented within AIFF, and how they aim to boost participation in football across all regions of India, including rural areas that have historically been underserved. We also dive into the impact of the Indian Super League (ISL) and how it has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Indian football domestically and internationally. Shaji offers his take on how the ISL teams are integrating with grassroots initiatives and how AIFF is working to bridge the gap between professional clubs and youth academies. He sheds light on the AIFF's long-term plans to make Indian football more competitive on the global stage, including efforts to increase international exposure for players, improve the quality of domestic competitions, and set new benchmarks for excellence. Whether you're a passionate fan of Indian football or curious about how the game is growing in one of the world’s most populous nations, this episode offers an exclusive look into the future of the beautiful game in India.