New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS): Western India Football Association’s (WIFA) Maharashtra grassroots initiatives have been awarded the best grassroots programme for 2014 by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FICCI at the Goal 2015 India Football Summit -- the third International Convention on Football Business.

"Seeing Mizoram grab the grassroots award last year, we analysed our programme and took account of the changes that needed to be made. We drafted a plan to improve the coaches in grassroots," WIFA secretary Souter Vaz said.

WIFA conducted four grassroots programmes out of which three were fully funded by the state association which enabled them to spread coaches in every part of the stage.

"Our partnership with Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has helped us tremendously in our efforts to improve grassroots," WIFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Henry Menezes.

WIFA have appointed a State Development Officer (SDO) to work and plan with the District Football Associations (DFA) and organise grassroot activities.

"We would also like to thank the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Aurangabad which gave us the opportunity to hold the courses for all our districts," Menezes said.