'Our immediate task is to strengthen our national team and prepare it for the Asian Cup in Doha. I am sure the revival of Indian football will start from the ONGC Nehru Cup this month,' he said.

AIFF vice-president Subrata Dutta also lauded the BCCI and hoped that under Patel's leadership Indian football will go far.

'It was also a wonderful job done by Mr. Patel. Under his able leadership, we have to bring back the pristine glory of Indian football. Mr. Patel has assured us that there won't be any dearth of funds for the development of the game in the country. We would also provide right kind of management to take Indian football forward,' he said.

Patel has also been successful in getting Rs.100 million as grant from the sports ministry to develop the team for the 2010 Asian Games.