Bayern Munich, and possibly Tottenham, are set to visit in mid-year, with the Germans also including an Indonesian leg in their tour.

"It's a great sign if world-famous clubs express their desire to play in our country," says Nirvan Shah, head of the Premier Indian Football Academy (PIFA).

Shah, through his academy, has tie-ups with clubs like Manchester United, AC Milan and Cruzeiro, and knows that playing against these clubs would give a major fillip to Indian football.

"The popularity of these clubs is immense," he says, "and Indian clubs can learn a lot from them on how to develop talent."

He feels that this could open a new avenue for Indian football.

"We need more foreign clubs to come and there could be exchange programmes where kids can go and spend sometime abroad and learn more."