Calcutta: In a bid to improve the standard of football in the country, the All India Football Federation launched a pilot project for the development of state associations, here on Monday.

The project, under the guidance of Fifa, will involve seven state associations as of now. Bengal, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Assam and Mizoram have been identified for the all-inclusive youth development plan.

The project is part of AIFF's 'Strategic Plan' which has been created with the help of Fifa. In Bengal, Fifa and AIFF will guide the Indian Football Association (IFA) and two professionals will be recruited as technical director and marketing director. "We need to have professionals working full time to make the project viable," said Shaji Prabhakaran, Fifa developmental officer.