One of the futile FAQ is “India’s population is over 120 Cr and counting and still we can’t manage to bring out a team of 11 footballers worth sending to FIFA World Cup?” On that logic, considering the size, population and development of US, by now they should be hitting in the ICC World Cup. But it isn’t so. The decisive factor here is the overall interest of the country and much crucial is the boost from the administrators of the game in that particular nation.
Football is possibly world’s most popular game and the current buzz. In India, states where it is chiefly played are West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim, though the fan following across India knows no boundary. Perhaps, football is played more than cricket on the Indian school grounds and is loved equally to cricket. Moreover, minimalistic need to play this game on the local level is a ball and a pair of sport shoes (which were atypical in earlier days) and a place same as required to play galli cricket.
League football in Kolkata is much older than the formation of FIFA. We have had such excellent players who made us proud at various national and international levels. The yesteryears few gems are Gostha Pal, Subimal Chuni Goswami, Sailen Manna, P K Bannerjee, Peter Thangaraj, Jarnail Singh Dhillon. And the current whizzes include the impeccable captain Baichung Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chetri, Mahesh Gawli to name a few. Their efforts have given football a new position in the land of cricket. Still we are missing something very crucial due to which at various competitions either we don’t enter or we get disqualified. We win some and loose most.
Priyaranjan Dasmunshi has served as President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) from 1988 till 2008. Currently he is the honorary president of AIFF. He was also associated with AFC and FIFA. He is ex-VP of Indian Olympic Association, member of Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal & Mohammedan Sporting Club. Despite holding such strong portfolio in football, he missed his aim. According to a report published in 2004, Dasmunshi had abandoned the criticisms of the infrastructure and management of football in India. He had assured of his confidence in the mission that would qualify India for World Cup by 2010. Its mid July 2010 and we have already enjoyed some terrific football.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mr. Praful Patel is the current president of AIFF. On the website of AIFF Mr. Patel is mentioned as a sports person. Which sport made him that is a matter of speculation. The question isn’t about his credibility to handle India’s Football, but it would be better if he is left to do what he does best. Let him manage aviation and let him be an industrialist.
Management of football coaching is haphazard here. Players often complain of paucity of qualified trainers and inadequate infrastructure. The call is to bring in best coaches to make future footballers fit for the international standard, to have state of the art infrastructure. To make this transformation possible we need investment of money, expertise and man power. Tycoons like Lakshmi Mittal, Sunil Bharti Mittal and liquor baron Vijay Mallya have already entered into sponsoring and supporting football at foundation level.
The blend of corporate world and the football administration can bring a football revolution in India. When money is poured in glamour, fame, audience and more money will eventually follow in. The other essential ingredient to add is a pinch of professionalism and a little bit cutback of political touch. At this stage only professionals can give a makeover to Indian football and not the politicians. We need to set up football clubs across the country with high standard amenities, make it easily accessible to any aspiring footballer, supporting the needy with financial aids. We may be having all of these but there is lack execution.
If searched, there are many, many talented but unexposed footballers in the nook and corner of the country. They are still lying in there cocoon, thanks to the crabby administration and pitiable response we provide them.
To sum up, we have done enough cheering up for Brazil, Argentina, Spain and others. Now we want our own team to applaud for in the next FIFA World Cup. Hope, in near future, we will hear our National Anthem on the international field of football. Waka waka.
