Strange clash of two leagues

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Let’s have a reality check — the common man in our cricket-frenzied country is so engrossed by the glitz and fervour of European football that he expects the same standard for the sport here, but this is not possible.

A fine example is the recent controversy involving the I-League, the nation’s premier football event and the celebrity cricket league, over the clash of their matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on January 22.

Chirag United Kerala, the only team from the state in the I-League, has a match scheduled on the date as per the fixture prepared by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in September. Meanwhile, Kerala Strikers, the celebrity cricket team that includes star actor Mohan Lal have a coinciding match.

Before we get any further, let us be open about one thing. I-League, being a true competitive sporting event has, over the years, set a platform for emerging talent, who have made it to the national football team and given the sport some pleasurable moments in recent years.

But one can’t compare celebrity cricket or football with the real stuff. The Kerala Football Association (KFA), which is entrusted with hosting the I-League in Kerala is hell-bent on maintaining the dignity of this beautiful game. P. Anil Kumar, secretary of KFA says that they will never compromise the national event for some fun stuff.

“Our stand is firm until the AIFF says otherwise. Come on, this is a national football event and not something that is being played for fun. The dates were decided earlier and we can’t postpone the game, not for such silly reasons,” said Anil Kumar.

The GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority), which owns the venue is yet to take a final stand. George Vazhakalil, secretary of GCDA has only one thing to say, “We will have an executive meeting convened in a few days to decide the matter.”

As the impasse continues, with the authorities being put into a dilemma, let sports lovers speak out. They frequently complain that football in India has to be promoted. How? By pulling it down so as to accommodate a fun game or showcase it in true form? Doesn’t make any sense, right?