For Mohammedan Sporting the long wait is over. For 73 years, their numerous fans in the walled city of Delhi, suffered repeated frustration as their favourite club failed to win a second Durand title, after their first ever triumph in 1940. They were runners-up in 1959, 1980 and 1992. On all three occasions they were fancied to win but it was always a case of so near and yet so far.

Indian football’s honeymoon with the South Asian Football Federation Championships is over. Since its advent in 1993, India had won in six out of the nine competitions and in Dhaka, 2009 emerged victorious with a second string squad.

Recession may not have slowed down international football but it has had an impact on Indian football. Already two I-League clubs have backed out of this year’s tournament. So the proposed 16-team I-League has been reduced to 13 teams this season.

Despite recession in several countries, inflation is rampant in international football. This is evident by the figures released before the first transfer window closes on Monday 2 September.

A century ago, there was a popular saying; the sun never sets on the British Empire. In the high noon of Empire, British colonial rule extended to about 75 countries. However within 22 years of its existence the global reach Barclays Premier League has exceeded that of Imperial Britain.

The European football leagues kick off this weekend. The focus will be on the Bundesliga and the cash-rich French league for different reasons. The popular English Premier League, telecast over 200 countries and the most watched football event in India starts next.

The impact of globalisation in football is evident all over the world, from the high profile English Premier League to our own I-League.

Conflicting opinions are emerging about the forthcoming IMG-Reliance league modelled on cricket’s Indian Premier League. The reactions are often extreme. The All India Football Federation’s general-secretary, Kushal Das, has said that enhanced media coverage will make Indian football a commercial entity and give it an international identity. Improved infrastructure will also benefit players.

The clash of the titans, Brazil vs Spain in the 9th Confederations Cup proved to be a damp squib. It was not champagne football all the way but the triumph of an athletic, determined team over a jaded side. Most of Spain’s players have not had a summer break since 2011 and the effects of hectic club schedules, aligned with the international calendar, are taking a toll.

In January 1998, Harish Rao, the then coach of Mahindra and Mahindras (original name of this now defunct club) was sitting at his hotel lobby in Goa, awaiting the arrival of a Nigerian striker who had joined his team to boost their attack. The striker arrived, in casual attire, with a haversack slung on his back. Rao was shocked and after some questioning realised that the hired player was not a seasoned professional but a University student in India.