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Savio Messias Praises Bob Houghton, Slams The Football Calendar
It’s time to hear from one of the important future football leader in the country...
19-Oct-2009 6:57:13 AM
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) would see some key
changes in personnel with the post of general secretary and the I-League CEO on
offer. While the candidates for the two coveted positions have been
shortlisted, Goal.com speaks to one of the top contenders for the post of AIFF
general secretary – Savio Messias.
Bob Houghton has spoken of his desire to see that the clubs in India be “clubs” in real sense of the word having their own training ground, assistant coaches, masseurs, physios, etc. The experienced coach further stated that a part of the club’s budget must be spent towards grass-root development which will ensure a steady inflow of talent. Messias agrees with the same and added that it’s high time that the clubs meet certain criteria’s or else Indian football would continue to be where it is today.
“We all know the criteria clubs claim to have met, with regards to the AFC Champions League, is only on paper. It’s time that it has to be implemented,” said the Goa Football Association (GFA) secretary.
If the I-League can be based on how the J-League began, it would bring success automatically and that there’s nothing better than that, as the Indian national coach opines. Messias agrees with the same vision and adds that he had suggested the same before the commencement of the inaugural I-League in 2007.
“I very much agree with Bob. I had suggested that for the first three years, let there be no promotion or relegation so that the clubs can concentrate on the infrastructure and developmental programmes.
“Presently, the entire budget of the teams is spent on paying the players, while many can’t afford to pay the dues at the end of the season!”
Interestingly, the word ‘relegation’ was first uttered in the J-League only in their sixth season.
The need for a strong club culture has been one of the key elements needed to instill the drive and passion for the game in the country. Messias states that it’s the introduction of the television and the English Premier League revolution which has caught the fantasy of the Indians.
“There are no spectators as the clubs don’t have a fan base. Earlier in Mumbai, you had the Orkays and Tatas, where more than 30, 000 people would come to see the games.
“Now you have so many distractions in the form of television, computer which give people an opportunity to watch top quality football of the Premier League.
“In Goa, we asked some kids as to what’s the jersey number of Ronaldo and Rooney, and they came up with the answer in no time. But the same kids couldn’t recognise some of our national team players which is sad.”
Houghton also mentioned that India has taken a back step as the number of foreign players has been increased to accommodate five, which does lessen the opportunities for the Indian players to play at the top level.
“The policy has been fluctuating. Sometimes they decide to increase and then decide to decrease,” pointed Messias.
India’s football calendar has been haywire for a long time. Houghton believes that the I-League must be the main tournament of the country which must be run by the AIFF and organised by the I-League’s CEO. However, it hasn’t happened as several tournaments continue to occupy time and space in the calendar. While the AIFF has youth development on its agenda, it’s shameful to learn that several of the age group tournaments haven’t been held or delayed.
“The AIFF has to sit with the clubs and the state associations to organise the calendar. There are several nuances to making a football calendar. Supposing an Indian club makes it into the AFC Champions League, what is going to b our calendar? If you see the present calendar, several tournaments haven’t been held. The U-16 and U-13 nationals haven’t happened while the U-19 I-League and the U-19 nationals (girls) is up in the air. It’s time that things have to be organised in a professional manner,” said one of the future leaders of football in the country.
The Bharti-AIFF Football Academy, which was originally planned for Goa, has been shelved for now due to various reasons and that the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties is reportedly not been renewed.
"Any sponsor coming to football must be welcome as it's very difficult to get them. When Bharti is ready to pump in so much money, the AIFF must have ensured and sealed the land deal."
Commenting on Bob’s thoughts, which Messias read on Goal.com, the dynamic leader stated that the former coach of China certainly has a good vision, which could be fine tuned following a healthy discussion with the clubs and the state associations.
“Bob has good intentions and ideas for Indian football. It’s just that there has to be more discussions between him and the club and associations which shall pave way for the betterment of Indian football,” said Messias on a concluding note.
It’s certainly good news for football fans in India that key football leaders in the country are in line with Bob’s vision which is certainly a positive sign.
It’s safe to say that the future is bright, if not the present!
Rahul Bali.
Bob Houghton has spoken of his desire to see that the clubs in India be “clubs” in real sense of the word having their own training ground, assistant coaches, masseurs, physios, etc. The experienced coach further stated that a part of the club’s budget must be spent towards grass-root development which will ensure a steady inflow of talent. Messias agrees with the same and added that it’s high time that the clubs meet certain criteria’s or else Indian football would continue to be where it is today.
“We all know the criteria clubs claim to have met, with regards to the AFC Champions League, is only on paper. It’s time that it has to be implemented,” said the Goa Football Association (GFA) secretary.
If the I-League can be based on how the J-League began, it would bring success automatically and that there’s nothing better than that, as the Indian national coach opines. Messias agrees with the same vision and adds that he had suggested the same before the commencement of the inaugural I-League in 2007.
“I very much agree with Bob. I had suggested that for the first three years, let there be no promotion or relegation so that the clubs can concentrate on the infrastructure and developmental programmes.
“Presently, the entire budget of the teams is spent on paying the players, while many can’t afford to pay the dues at the end of the season!”
Interestingly, the word ‘relegation’ was first uttered in the J-League only in their sixth season.
The need for a strong club culture has been one of the key elements needed to instill the drive and passion for the game in the country. Messias states that it’s the introduction of the television and the English Premier League revolution which has caught the fantasy of the Indians.
“There are no spectators as the clubs don’t have a fan base. Earlier in Mumbai, you had the Orkays and Tatas, where more than 30, 000 people would come to see the games.
“Now you have so many distractions in the form of television, computer which give people an opportunity to watch top quality football of the Premier League.
“In Goa, we asked some kids as to what’s the jersey number of Ronaldo and Rooney, and they came up with the answer in no time. But the same kids couldn’t recognise some of our national team players which is sad.”
Houghton also mentioned that India has taken a back step as the number of foreign players has been increased to accommodate five, which does lessen the opportunities for the Indian players to play at the top level.
“The policy has been fluctuating. Sometimes they decide to increase and then decide to decrease,” pointed Messias.
India’s football calendar has been haywire for a long time. Houghton believes that the I-League must be the main tournament of the country which must be run by the AIFF and organised by the I-League’s CEO. However, it hasn’t happened as several tournaments continue to occupy time and space in the calendar. While the AIFF has youth development on its agenda, it’s shameful to learn that several of the age group tournaments haven’t been held or delayed.
“The AIFF has to sit with the clubs and the state associations to organise the calendar. There are several nuances to making a football calendar. Supposing an Indian club makes it into the AFC Champions League, what is going to b our calendar? If you see the present calendar, several tournaments haven’t been held. The U-16 and U-13 nationals haven’t happened while the U-19 I-League and the U-19 nationals (girls) is up in the air. It’s time that things have to be organised in a professional manner,” said one of the future leaders of football in the country.
The Bharti-AIFF Football Academy, which was originally planned for Goa, has been shelved for now due to various reasons and that the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties is reportedly not been renewed.
"Any sponsor coming to football must be welcome as it's very difficult to get them. When Bharti is ready to pump in so much money, the AIFF must have ensured and sealed the land deal."
Commenting on Bob’s thoughts, which Messias read on Goal.com, the dynamic leader stated that the former coach of China certainly has a good vision, which could be fine tuned following a healthy discussion with the clubs and the state associations.
“Bob has good intentions and ideas for Indian football. It’s just that there has to be more discussions between him and the club and associations which shall pave way for the betterment of Indian football,” said Messias on a concluding note.
It’s certainly good news for football fans in India that key football leaders in the country are in line with Bob’s vision which is certainly a positive sign.
It’s safe to say that the future is bright, if not the present!
Rahul Bali.
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