Source : India Link
History
Soccer was introduced into India during the British rule, with matches played at the world-famous maidans of Kolkota. Modern soccer is not new to India, which is currently a country of cricket maniacs. So when, where and how will this nation of over one billion people make an impact on the world arena in this sport? It’s a question no-one can seem to find an answer to… as yet.
Soccer was introduced into India during the British rule, with matches played at the world-famous maidans of Kolkota. Modern soccer is not new to India, which is currently a country of cricket maniacs. So when, where and how will this nation of over one billion people make an impact on the world arena in this sport? It’s a question no-one can seem to find an answer to… as yet.
The history of Indian soccer is divided into two distinct parts – soccer pre and post Independence. In the days of the British rule, football was popular mainly in the present state of West Bengal, and games were mostly confined to this state. Popular clubs like ‘Mohan Bagan’ and ‘East Bengal Club’ came into existence during this era. The Mohan Bagan Football Club dates back to 1889, when soccer was being introduced to the rest of the world as well. Mohan Bagan played a significant role in bringing together talented and patriotic Indians, and in 1911 the first all-Indian team beat the British and won their first IFA cup.
Current scenario
The Vision Asia programme for soccer was originally launched in 2004 with the Asian continent split into six zones, with China and India in individual zones because of their size. The launch states were Delhi and Manipur, and while Manipur calmly and quietly has been doing its work to fulfil its part as one of the best Vision Asia projects, Delhi never really got off the ground. For Delhi it was a long time coming, but now it is official that Vision Delhi is, at least for the moment, history. For the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) it doesn’t mean much except closing down a chapter of a continent wide development program, but for Delhi Football it means embarrassment and losing the opportunity to garner help in developing football in the capital. Although Delhi’s failure has often been highlighted, the success in Manipur hasn’t made big headline news. A couple of years ago Kerala and Tamil Nadu were added to the programme, while Goa was added last year and West Bengal is the next state waiting in the sidelines.
The Vision Asia programme for soccer was originally launched in 2004 with the Asian continent split into six zones, with China and India in individual zones because of their size. The launch states were Delhi and Manipur, and while Manipur calmly and quietly has been doing its work to fulfil its part as one of the best Vision Asia projects, Delhi never really got off the ground. For Delhi it was a long time coming, but now it is official that Vision Delhi is, at least for the moment, history. For the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) it doesn’t mean much except closing down a chapter of a continent wide development program, but for Delhi Football it means embarrassment and losing the opportunity to garner help in developing football in the capital. Although Delhi’s failure has often been highlighted, the success in Manipur hasn’t made big headline news. A couple of years ago Kerala and Tamil Nadu were added to the programme, while Goa was added last year and West Bengal is the next state waiting in the sidelines.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) also receives an annual aid grant of $120,000 from the AFC to help improve awareness and involvement in the game, and promote promising players. The AFC grant helps the AIFF pay coaches at the junior level and ensures preparing of a sound youth development programme. The AIFF is also planning to appoint an assistant director of coaching in all the five zones in the country with the help of this grant.
The CEO for the upcoming ONGC I League Sunando Dhar has issued a stark warning to the old football clubs that they need to change or pack in. Dhar, as a representative of the Asian Football Council has set out stiff new criteria for professional football clubs, which have to be compulsorily included into the clubs’ constitution. If they fail to meet these criteria by December 31, 2010 they will not be allowed to play in the I League or Asian championships. Once the Indian league becomes fully professional, they will be eligible to take part in the Asia Club Championship which was won by Adelaide United last year.
I suppose resistance will come from old clubs, namely Kolkata’s East Bengal and Mohan Bagan, but we hope commonsense will finally prevail. New I-league teams namely Pune FC and Lajong from Shillong have been very successful in doing the unthinkable, as they are now witnessing a large following and football has become a big passion for the local city people.
A regretful development has been Mahindra United’s pull-out from the game at this important juncture, after finishing fourth in this year’s National League. But it is understood that AIFF have received many offers from business houses willing to become franchises, and hopefully that will change the perception of football in India.
A promising future?
Total Sport Asia believes that there is enough money in India, and there is also international money looking for a window into Indian football. However, the only limiting factor to attracting millions of dollars is the need for major structural changes in the I-League that will ensure protection for investors. There are talks that Mr. Lalit Modi could step in with innovative ideas and project Indian football in much the same way as the IPL, as common opinion is that there is lack of dynamic leadership. There are also talks on benchmarking different models of soccer governance in the world and tailoring one to suit Indian conditions. The Australian model is in the forefront in this initiative.
Total Sport Asia believes that there is enough money in India, and there is also international money looking for a window into Indian football. However, the only limiting factor to attracting millions of dollars is the need for major structural changes in the I-League that will ensure protection for investors. There are talks that Mr. Lalit Modi could step in with innovative ideas and project Indian football in much the same way as the IPL, as common opinion is that there is lack of dynamic leadership. There are also talks on benchmarking different models of soccer governance in the world and tailoring one to suit Indian conditions. The Australian model is in the forefront in this initiative.
Soccer in Australia and even in India has never looked in better shape with Australia qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and Englishman Bob Houghton as the Indian team coach. The Indian soccer team qualified for the 2011 Asia Cup in Qatar with Australia, South Korea and Bahrain in their pool, which will be played from January 7-29 next year. This is seen as a great and positive achievement for the Indian football team; the last time India qualified for the Asia Cup was in 1984. Bob is to help India qualify in the next World Cup.
In a meeting with ex-Socceroo and SBS sports anchor Craig Foster, he mentioned that there is a keen interest within the A-league teams here to sign an Indian soccer player, thus helping in converting the migrant community into Sydney FC fans.
Imagine Indian soccer star Baichung Bhutia playing for Sydney FC! I am quite convinced it will bring loads of Indians through the gates, and increase their membership too.
We hope all the effort and due recognition collectively helps in awakening Indians to help Indian football. Hopefully change will happen, and the standards of Indian soccer will be uplifted and improved, instead of an untimely, ignominious and unfortunate demise.
And perhaps one day in the not-too-distant future we will have our own heroes at the World Cup. But for the moment, let’s wish them luck for the upcoming Asia Cup
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