The Paradox of Indian Football
Football, oh how it ignites a fire in my heart, just like it does for millions of us passionate Indians! Our love for the game knows no bounds. We have a special affection for football powerhouses like Spain, Argentina, and Germany. The mesmerizing skills, the style of play — they captivate us. But somehow, when it comes to Indian Football, I find myself caught in a hilarious paradox. It seems like our beloved Indian football team doesn’t get the appreciation and encouragement it truly deserves. This contradiction has me scratching my head and I just have to share my reflections on this matter.
Cricket’s Undeniable Dominance:
Growing up in India, cricket reigned supreme in our sports culture, captivating the nation with its overwhelming dominance. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli amassed massive fan followings. International cricketers such as AB de Villiers, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Jacques Kallis also enjoyed immense popularity. In contrast, football struggled to gain the same level of hype and publicity. While the captain of the Indian football team, Sunil Chhetri, joins hands and appeals to fans to attend their games, it’s fascinating to observe how cricket enthusiasts swarm the stadiums like bees, scrambling for last-minute tickets. Even in our school textbooks, we learned about the lives of cricket icons like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, while Indian footballers were conspicuously absent from the narrative. Cricket had truly become the charismatic protagonist of our sports culture, while football played a supporting role, longing for equal recognition and support.
A Lack of International Success:
One possible reason for the lukewarm support towards the Indian football team is its limited international success. While the team has shown moments of promise, it has struggled to make a significant impact on the global stage, with limited victories in international tournaments. In fact, India has yet to win an international tournament, which might dampen the enthusiasm of fans and hinder their wholehearted support. Additionally, the absence of Indian players making it to the big clubs further contributes to the challenges faced by the team in garnering widespread support and recognition. Only a few Indian players have had the opportunity to play for smaller clubs in Europe, seeking exposure and experience at a higher level of competition. Some notable examples include Baichung Bhutia, who played for English club Bury FC and Mohun Bagan AC, and Sunil Chhetri, who had a brief stint with Sporting Lisbon’s B team in Portugal. These instances, though limited, highlight the aspirations and efforts of Indian players to compete in higher-ranked leagues. However, the scarcity of such instances can impact the overall perception of Indian football on the global stage, making it harder for fans to fully embrace and support the national team.
Regional Rivalries Kick In:
Now, let me give you a taste of the spicy drama that unfolds in our diverse nation. It’s like watching a Bollywood family saga, where everyone supports different teams. Kerala has their beloved Blasters, Bengaluru goes absolutely bonkers for the FC, and Kolkata, well, they practically worship the ground the ATK walks on. While these regional rivalries make for an exciting spectacle, they can inadvertently create divisions and hinder the growth of Indian football as a united front. With fans fiercely loyal to their regional clubs, getting them to unite behind the national team is like trying to untangle a plateful of perfectly cooked biryani. The fierce loyalty to regional clubs often leads to a lack of national unity and cohesion when it comes to supporting the Indian national team.
Insufficient Infrastructure and Development:
Another reason our Indian football team gets the short end of the stick is the lack of proper infrastructure and development initiatives. We may have some talented footballers in our midst, but without top-notch training facilities, grassroots programs that kick butt, and significant investment in football development, we’re like players running around without a strategy. My husband went to watch the SAFF tournament held in Bengaluru on 4th of July, 2023. He told me that the stadium seatings were in very poor conditions, where the spectators had to find a proper place to sit amidst the moss and dirt, and mostly people were standing. Despite this, the happy part was that all the tickets were sold out, and almost 26,000 people came to watch our Boys play. This was a huge victory for India, apart from the fact that they actually won the SAFF Finals against Kuwait. However, it’s disappointing to note that India does not even have a proper stadium dedicated solely to football. The match my husband saw had running tracks surrounding the ground, which increased the distance between the players and the spectators. Such infrastructure limitations make it challenging for fans to connect with the game on a deeper level and hinder the overall experience. The lack of a dedicated football stadium reflects the need for greater investment in sports infrastructure in our country. Our footballers deserve to play in an environment where they feel the love and roar of the crowd, and where the fans can fully embrace the game.
Media Spotlight and Marketing:
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and garnering support for sports teams. Unfortunately, the Indian football team often receives limited coverage and promotional efforts compared to other sports, particularly cricket. They’re like that forgotten cousin who never gets invited to family gatherings. Meanwhile, if you look at the Western media, they’re obsessed paparazzi following around their sports icons like a bunch of lovestruck teenagers. Just take a look at the ever-glamorous Cristiano Ronaldo Even when he’s just washing his face, the media can’t get enough of him. The lack of consistent exposure and media attention makes it harder for our team to capture the hearts and minds of fans across the country.
On a personal note, I would like to share an incident that occurred just couple of nights before, which sadly had an ironic twist. It was the highly anticipated final of the SAFF Championship, a football tournament, featuring India and Kuwait. As a dedicated football enthusiast, my husband was eager to express his unwavering support for Team India by acquiring the latest team jersey. However, this seemingly simple task turned into a frustrating wild goose chase. He contacted countless stores in Bangalore, hoping to find that elusive jersey, but it was nowhere to be found. Not only was he unable to locate the new edition, but he couldn’t even find a single Indian jersey in the neighbouring stores. It felt as if these jerseys had mysteriously vanished into thin air, leaving Indian football fans like us in a state of frustration and disappointment.
It is important to note that my husband possesses exceptional soccer skills and a deep passion for the game. However, despite his talent, he has been unable to pursue football professionally due to the numerous challenges faced by Indian footballers. The absence of proper infrastructure, scouting networks, and opportunities to showcase his abilities on a larger stage have posed significant obstacles to realizing his dreams.
The incident with the missing jersey serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and limitations faced by Indian football enthusiasts. It highlights the need for greater investment, support and media coverage in the development of football infrastructure within the country. By addressing these issues, talented individuals like my husband could have the opportunity to shine on a national and international stage, bringing glory to Indian football and fulfilling their own aspirations in the process.
