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Food For Thought: Ten Things Indians Say About Indian Football
Indians say many things about Indian football, most of it without even watching a game. Goal.com's Atishay Agarwal lists ten such statements made about the sport in India...
16-Oct-2009 2:41:04 AM
1) India can lose to an Australian school team.
Okay, these words aren't really said by everyone, but were used by the Sports Minister M.S.Gill, in order to describe the current state of the national team. The Indian team took these words on the chin, though, and emerged champions at the recently-concluded Nehru Cup. Well done boys, point proven.
2) Bhutia is the only real footballer in India.
It's just how Cristiano Ronaldo was called the only good player at Manchester United, isn't it? It's as if apart from Bhaichung, noone in India can even kick the ball. The entire national team is full of quality players in their position, and with a number of talented youngsters coming through, we must learn to look beyond.
3) The I-League is boring.
Quite the opposite! The quality of football on show might not be La Liga-esque, but there's no shortage of entertainment. It's India after all, you know? We like our fair share of action, comedy, drama, last-minute twists, and an overflow of emotions. In short, we like our football to be one Bollywood masala movie, and that's never boring, whether you like it or not!
4) Who else plays apart from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal?
Actually this could vary from region to region. In Goa, they might mention Churchill Brothers and Dempo instead of the two Kolkata clubs, and so on. But in general, the two clubs from Kolkata are still the most well-known football teams in the country. But no longer are they the two best football teams in the country. Both Kolkata sides are struggling slightly at the moment, with other, more professionally run clubs making an impression.
5) The AIFF are a bunch of good-for-nothings.
Well isn't that just the easiest thing to say? It's like the classic image of a common Indian man reading the newspaper in the morning, and announcing, "Politics has ruined this country"! Yes, the AIFF hasn't been the most pro-active sports organization in the past, most of it down to a lack of cash inflow, but Indian football's governing body has done quite a bit in recent years to take the sport forward. Having said that, they must do more and introduce more such positive measures, and we as fans must put enough pressure on the board to ensure that they do.
6) Football is for ruffians.
These words might be for football in general, actually, but there could be nothing further from the truth. Statements such as these are made only by people who refuse to look beyond cricket, which is as much of a real sport as Steve McMahon is a Manchester United fan. Cricket is a non-contact, touch-me-not game, played a lot more in the mind, and I love it myself. But for cricket fans to label the people's game as one for the unsophisticated, is unacceptable.
7) Indian football is a circus.
Actually, there are moments when I can't disagree with this at all. Whether it's the merry-go-round of coaches and players, or how officials squabble with experienced footballers over petty issues, there are a lot of incidents where it seems as if the people involved are earnestly trying to be the butt of the joke! But that's one highly attractive aspect of Indian football which adds to all the fun and games, and I would surely miss some of it if it wasn't around anymore!
8) Indians cannot play football.
How very racist of you, sir. It's shocking how we love to make derogatory statements about ourselves. And I'm not saying I've never done it! I'm doing it right now, am I not? But this misconception has got to go. Indian footballers are highly talented and skilled, and lag behind mainly in two areas, technique and physique, both of which are down to initial coaching and training facilities. It's not as if our genes don't allow us to play good football, you know.
9) It must be difficult to host all the matches at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Shocked? But it's a highly common misconception, even among people who are ardent Premier League or La Liga followers. For the record, the Salt Lake Stadium isn't the only football ground in India. The Cooperage at Mumbai, Fatorda Stadium in Goa, Hyderabad's Gachchibowli Stadium, the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Phagwara, Municipal Stadium in Kochi, and my personal favourite, the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, are all stadiums worthy of hosting football matches. Of course, there are many more, but I think I've made my point.
10) Indian football isn't going anywhere.
So, so wrong. Indian football is on the up, very much so. Out national team is on the rise, and so are our clubs. With a few more sponsorship deals, a slightly more professional outlook from the AIFF and club officials, and support from us the fans, Indian football has the potential to carve a niche for itself. Ask yourself this. If Indian football wasn't going anywhere, would you be reading this?
Atishay Agarwal
Okay, these words aren't really said by everyone, but were used by the Sports Minister M.S.Gill, in order to describe the current state of the national team. The Indian team took these words on the chin, though, and emerged champions at the recently-concluded Nehru Cup. Well done boys, point proven.
2) Bhutia is the only real footballer in India.
It's just how Cristiano Ronaldo was called the only good player at Manchester United, isn't it? It's as if apart from Bhaichung, noone in India can even kick the ball. The entire national team is full of quality players in their position, and with a number of talented youngsters coming through, we must learn to look beyond.
3) The I-League is boring.
Quite the opposite! The quality of football on show might not be La Liga-esque, but there's no shortage of entertainment. It's India after all, you know? We like our fair share of action, comedy, drama, last-minute twists, and an overflow of emotions. In short, we like our football to be one Bollywood masala movie, and that's never boring, whether you like it or not!
4) Who else plays apart from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal?
Actually this could vary from region to region. In Goa, they might mention Churchill Brothers and Dempo instead of the two Kolkata clubs, and so on. But in general, the two clubs from Kolkata are still the most well-known football teams in the country. But no longer are they the two best football teams in the country. Both Kolkata sides are struggling slightly at the moment, with other, more professionally run clubs making an impression.
5) The AIFF are a bunch of good-for-nothings.
Well isn't that just the easiest thing to say? It's like the classic image of a common Indian man reading the newspaper in the morning, and announcing, "Politics has ruined this country"! Yes, the AIFF hasn't been the most pro-active sports organization in the past, most of it down to a lack of cash inflow, but Indian football's governing body has done quite a bit in recent years to take the sport forward. Having said that, they must do more and introduce more such positive measures, and we as fans must put enough pressure on the board to ensure that they do.
6) Football is for ruffians.
These words might be for football in general, actually, but there could be nothing further from the truth. Statements such as these are made only by people who refuse to look beyond cricket, which is as much of a real sport as Steve McMahon is a Manchester United fan. Cricket is a non-contact, touch-me-not game, played a lot more in the mind, and I love it myself. But for cricket fans to label the people's game as one for the unsophisticated, is unacceptable.
7) Indian football is a circus.
Actually, there are moments when I can't disagree with this at all. Whether it's the merry-go-round of coaches and players, or how officials squabble with experienced footballers over petty issues, there are a lot of incidents where it seems as if the people involved are earnestly trying to be the butt of the joke! But that's one highly attractive aspect of Indian football which adds to all the fun and games, and I would surely miss some of it if it wasn't around anymore!
8) Indians cannot play football.
How very racist of you, sir. It's shocking how we love to make derogatory statements about ourselves. And I'm not saying I've never done it! I'm doing it right now, am I not? But this misconception has got to go. Indian footballers are highly talented and skilled, and lag behind mainly in two areas, technique and physique, both of which are down to initial coaching and training facilities. It's not as if our genes don't allow us to play good football, you know.
9) It must be difficult to host all the matches at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Shocked? But it's a highly common misconception, even among people who are ardent Premier League or La Liga followers. For the record, the Salt Lake Stadium isn't the only football ground in India. The Cooperage at Mumbai, Fatorda Stadium in Goa, Hyderabad's Gachchibowli Stadium, the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Phagwara, Municipal Stadium in Kochi, and my personal favourite, the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, are all stadiums worthy of hosting football matches. Of course, there are many more, but I think I've made my point.
10) Indian football isn't going anywhere.
So, so wrong. Indian football is on the up, very much so. Out national team is on the rise, and so are our clubs. With a few more sponsorship deals, a slightly more professional outlook from the AIFF and club officials, and support from us the fans, Indian football has the potential to carve a niche for itself. Ask yourself this. If Indian football wasn't going anywhere, would you be reading this?
Atishay Agarwal
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