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The Indian Dream: Indian Football Is Not Just How We See It, But How It Is Shown To Us
Convince me...
02-Feb-2011 9:19:00 AM
By Anselm Noronha
Indian football may be defined in two different dimensions, the way we see it or the way it is portrayed to us - The former by far depends on our very interest, while the latter is the magnified picture put in front of us by the concerned bodies. In short, in a country as densely diversified, we need the idea to be "sold" to fans and followers alike.
Some would account the rise of cricket to cause the downfall of football, others say it's the lack of desire shown by the Indian federation, but either ways we are concerned. There is no single just cause for the poor show of "Joga Bonita" or "The beautiful game" in the second largest populated country in the world. There is a need for an explanation and action to "wake up the sleeping giant."
Now if you notice, most of us are familiar with the terms mentioned above. That's because we're talking about the most popularly followed sport in the world. European football has gone far ahead of us in taking advantage of the same. What we need is a reason to believe. Hence, the need to invoke that dramatic emotion. Here is an excellent example of an initiative by a commercial media entity to build a positive reaction towards India's bid to host the World Cup 2022 though it may mean nothing now considering that the nation was never in contention for the same.
What has to change is our mentality of looking at the larger picture for which transparency is going to play the most vital role in explaining the long terms plans that are being built. Many a times, irrespective of the credibility of the plans drawn, the general masses find themselves 'not ready' to adopt the new method. The most recent examples may be the formation of The AIFF XI (now Indian Arrows) I-League team and Team India's participation in the Asian Cup 2011 after 27 long years.
Talking about the Indian Arrows, there was evidently no positive vibe to a bunch of under 21 players competing against the 'big boys' in the I-League to prepare for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. And now, after almost half the rounds of the team competing in the top tier league, they appear to be doing much better than we might have expected.
It's the same with the Indian national team - After the forgettable performances against lower division teams on their foreign exposure trip and the embarrassing defeats to Kuwait and UAE in the international friendlies, not many would have expected India to come half as good in the Asian Cup campaign against the likes of Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.
They Started... Our Chance To Take The Next Step!
Pondering on how to expand the whole football scenario in India, one has to start with a realistic vision and more importantly advertise it. Having an open forum and getting a positive feedback is what will help garner the support that's needed to take the next step towards development including that of getting commercial backing in the form of sponsorships; And mind you, that involves money, just as we were just talking about cricket taking over the limelight away from football. Likewise, it's all about 'selling' the vision.
The bottom line is - If we are not convinced how exactly a specified plan is going to work, how can we expect the masses to accept? The entire sentiment revolves around a clear picture put forth in front of us early enough, so that one gets a fair chance to feel excited and merge our own schedules to be part of Indian football.
   More Than Meets The Eye
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Some would account the rise of cricket to cause the downfall of football, others say it's the lack of desire shown by the Indian federation, but either ways we are concerned. There is no single just cause for the poor show of "Joga Bonita" or "The beautiful game" in the second largest populated country in the world. There is a need for an explanation and action to "wake up the sleeping giant."
Now if you notice, most of us are familiar with the terms mentioned above. That's because we're talking about the most popularly followed sport in the world. European football has gone far ahead of us in taking advantage of the same. What we need is a reason to believe. Hence, the need to invoke that dramatic emotion. Here is an excellent example of an initiative by a commercial media entity to build a positive reaction towards India's bid to host the World Cup 2022 though it may mean nothing now considering that the nation was never in contention for the same.
What has to change is our mentality of looking at the larger picture for which transparency is going to play the most vital role in explaining the long terms plans that are being built. Many a times, irrespective of the credibility of the plans drawn, the general masses find themselves 'not ready' to adopt the new method. The most recent examples may be the formation of The AIFF XI (now Indian Arrows) I-League team and Team India's participation in the Asian Cup 2011 after 27 long years.
Talking about the Indian Arrows, there was evidently no positive vibe to a bunch of under 21 players competing against the 'big boys' in the I-League to prepare for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. And now, after almost half the rounds of the team competing in the top tier league, they appear to be doing much better than we might have expected.
It's the same with the Indian national team - After the forgettable performances against lower division teams on their foreign exposure trip and the embarrassing defeats to Kuwait and UAE in the international friendlies, not many would have expected India to come half as good in the Asian Cup campaign against the likes of Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.
They Started... Our Chance To Take The Next Step!
Pondering on how to expand the whole football scenario in India, one has to start with a realistic vision and more importantly advertise it. Having an open forum and getting a positive feedback is what will help garner the support that's needed to take the next step towards development including that of getting commercial backing in the form of sponsorships; And mind you, that involves money, just as we were just talking about cricket taking over the limelight away from football. Likewise, it's all about 'selling' the vision.
The bottom line is - If we are not convinced how exactly a specified plan is going to work, how can we expect the masses to accept? The entire sentiment revolves around a clear picture put forth in front of us early enough, so that one gets a fair chance to feel excited and merge our own schedules to be part of Indian football.
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