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SpeakOut: The Need For A Change...
20th October was a historic day in Indian football as a new President sweared in at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after more than two decades. Goal.com speaks on why the change was essential and how it can change the course of Indian football altogether...
22-Oct-2009 6:47:07 PM
Indian football has the potential to grow and you don’t need
to be a rocket science expert to say this. But for it to even go to the next
level, it has to do well both on and off the field.
Very often, we tend to focus only on what’s happening on the ground and whether the national team has won or not. But there’s more to it as unless you have the right set-up at the top level, which creates the right environment for the game in the country to grow and flourish, nothing much can be achieved even on the field for that matter.
For example, India has won three titles in many years and each of them have come after a long foreign exposure trip cum training camps. For India to do well in the 2011 Asian Cup, you do need camps abroad and for that, finance is an essential.
Even as an acting AIFF president, Patel has managed to get sums which none could ever have thought of. The critics who were sceptical about his interest in the people’s game and kept comparing him to Dasmunsi are mum now.
"I will be doing everything to uplift football in the country and try to make it more popular sport in India,” said Patel after his coronation.
When you have a dynamic personality like Patel to help the cause of football, it’s essential that his services are being utilized in the best possible manner to reap their maximum benefits. Using his reach and political and social contacts for football shall go a long way in taking the sport to where it deserves to be.
It’s imperative not to waste his time on petty issues resolving disputes involving the Indian FA, players, clubs and state associations. You have to look at the larger picture, by getting government support for the clubs, work on the infrastructural front and also to monetize Indian football into one of the hottest properties.
A right team of like-minded individuals is needed who are committed and professional in their approach. Presently, the Indian FA is in a transitional stage with a new general secretary expected to be named following the interviews of the shortlisted candidates and the appointment of the I-League’s CEO also on the cards.
Given India has an expert in Bob Houghton; the AIFF must use his expertise. There’s some explanation on the part of the AIFF as the age group tournaments aren’t being held with the national coach insisting on youth development in every speech. This only goes to show that the AIFF isn’t on the same page as Houghton which was very well seen in the Nehru Cup where the grass at the Ambedkar wasn’t chopped to the level which the coach desired.
The number of foreign players has been increased to five per club, which again hasn’t helped Indian football in anyways. Moreover, there’s a lot of finger pointing as to who came out with the rule. The clubs state it’s the Indian FA and as always, the latter points it to the teams. No one is aware whether a Player of Indian Origin (PIO) can play for the national team or not! It makes you wonder whether they are people who are accountable at all.
Doesn’t India deserve better leaders in football?! And yes, the first step has been taken with Praful Patel’s appointment at the helm of affairs.
Rahul Bali.
Is Indian Football In Need Of A Change? What Do YOU Think?
Very often, we tend to focus only on what’s happening on the ground and whether the national team has won or not. But there’s more to it as unless you have the right set-up at the top level, which creates the right environment for the game in the country to grow and flourish, nothing much can be achieved even on the field for that matter.
For example, India has won three titles in many years and each of them have come after a long foreign exposure trip cum training camps. For India to do well in the 2011 Asian Cup, you do need camps abroad and for that, finance is an essential.
Even as an acting AIFF president, Patel has managed to get sums which none could ever have thought of. The critics who were sceptical about his interest in the people’s game and kept comparing him to Dasmunsi are mum now.
"I will be doing everything to uplift football in the country and try to make it more popular sport in India,” said Patel after his coronation.
When you have a dynamic personality like Patel to help the cause of football, it’s essential that his services are being utilized in the best possible manner to reap their maximum benefits. Using his reach and political and social contacts for football shall go a long way in taking the sport to where it deserves to be.
It’s imperative not to waste his time on petty issues resolving disputes involving the Indian FA, players, clubs and state associations. You have to look at the larger picture, by getting government support for the clubs, work on the infrastructural front and also to monetize Indian football into one of the hottest properties.
A right team of like-minded individuals is needed who are committed and professional in their approach. Presently, the Indian FA is in a transitional stage with a new general secretary expected to be named following the interviews of the shortlisted candidates and the appointment of the I-League’s CEO also on the cards.
Given India has an expert in Bob Houghton; the AIFF must use his expertise. There’s some explanation on the part of the AIFF as the age group tournaments aren’t being held with the national coach insisting on youth development in every speech. This only goes to show that the AIFF isn’t on the same page as Houghton which was very well seen in the Nehru Cup where the grass at the Ambedkar wasn’t chopped to the level which the coach desired.
The number of foreign players has been increased to five per club, which again hasn’t helped Indian football in anyways. Moreover, there’s a lot of finger pointing as to who came out with the rule. The clubs state it’s the Indian FA and as always, the latter points it to the teams. No one is aware whether a Player of Indian Origin (PIO) can play for the national team or not! It makes you wonder whether they are people who are accountable at all.
Doesn’t India deserve better leaders in football?! And yes, the first step has been taken with Praful Patel’s appointment at the helm of affairs.
Rahul Bali.
Is Indian Football In Need Of A Change? What Do YOU Think?
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