Winds of Change
India’s Syed Rahim (left) in action against Syria in the Nehru Cup at New Delhi.—PTI
For much too long, Indian football has suffered an existence similar to the unfortunate lowest members of the social strata. Bereft of support, neglected, abused and starving for the basic amenities which it can see driving past every single day, bedazzling in blingy shades, clasping a cherry red leather ball and a wooden plank which could otherwise be used to effectively wash clothes.
The AIFF, the ‘governing body’ of the sport has historically remained content sucking from the very innards of the sport like a satisfied leech, it’s physical self almost taking over the host body.
The unfortunate truth also remains that the sport, in today’s frankly bewildering times, needs a ton of money to be infused in it. Money from currently reticent sponsors, from non-existent supporters and from a hopeless government. European leagues are popular here, Cola companies are threatening to change their games with cringe-worthy campaigns, but is the sport really capturing the consciousness of the average man?
For that to happen, a three-pronged approach needs to reap benefits. For starters, the money going into the sport needs to be monitored and directed towards making the youth development setup amongst the best in the world 10 years down the line. The government needs to start from the very root by throwing open more parks and playing grounds to youngsters. Stadiums need to be developed as world class centres, and schools need to have talent scouting on a regular basis.
And, this remains an unfortunate truth, to capture the short-term imaginations, in order to build a long term success story, European clubs need to be enticed to commence pre-season activities in India, administered in a professional manner.
In related news, India got their Nehru Cup campaign off to a sparkling start by beating Syria 2-1, and more people attended the match than the first session of the cricket match between India and New Zealand. Perhaps we might run into an onrushing change around the corner, after all.
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