The Abysmal State of Indian Football

If India were today to play a match against world's mighty Brazil, India would be more than happy to not concede more than three goals. Or perhaps five! A 2-0 loss might feel okay to do. A 1-0 might feel uplifting. A 1-0 'loss', might I! Not a 1-0 win, no: that's impossible! India is ranked 104 in a list of more than 200 football playing nations. Surely, the second most populated and one of the fastest developing countries in the world is capable of way more than that! 

It is true to say Indian Football is in a mess. The team is, the management is; so is marketing, investment and political orientation. If any remedial structure isnt considered immediately, the whole system will crumble down to the ground. 

Why do I say this? 

The Political Instability

Well, it's not unheard of that few weeks ago the Indian National Football team was nullified by FIFA, even temporarily so. This was done because (esteemed) FIFA found political disability within the governing body of AIFF, who were having President Praful Patel extend his course as the president beyond agreeable terms. FIFA advanced their insight into the matter and later charged the AIFF with third party interferences, thereby imposing ban. It has come to notice since that while a massive amount of money is being invested towards Football the money hardly represents its purpose, instead the money is more prominently found inside stomachs of petty politicians, who directly or indirectly, connects with Football management and broadcasting systems across India. Not just FIFA but even the Indian Government is boggled by this! When Supreme Court and the sports ministry intervened deep with dubiety regarding this furtive unscrupulousness within the AIFF, FIFA imposed the ban. 

 The previous President of AIFF, Praful Patel, served three terms (each of four years) with his final term coming to an end in 2020. Indian Sports Code allows a maximum of three terms but Patel insisted on holding his court longer, allowing his executive parties to access office as well. According to Patel, he didn't want to be gone unless the 2017 Case with the Supreme Court over clarity of AIFF constitution rules was processed. The Sports Ministry joined in, imposing that a violation of the Sports Code would lead to the withdrawal of government recognition of AIFF. Finally in May 2022, a resolution was met and Patel stepped down. 

However, India faced major setbacks and ridicule due to the temporary FIFA ban that was imposed on 16th August, 2022. With the way things are at AIFF, no one can tell how many more of these are to come! 

The Lack of Support 

In India, Cricket is celebrated. It is only alright, for Indian Cricket deserves every ounce of respect that it gets in India and across the globe. When India plays a game of cricket it is almost inevitable for India to lose a match. India does lose still, and it is considered with heavy hearts no matter who the opponent might be. It's quite the same in Hockey, our national sport, although not entirely. It is not even close, but, of what Indian football showcases. 

In India, football stadiums are more empty than filled. So much, that Indian Skipper Sunil Chetri once had to beg supporters over social media to come and watch their national team playing.

‘Scream at us, but come watch us’: Indian captain Sunil Chhetri makes heartfelt plea to fans. (reported scroll.in) 

 Of course, his words did attract masses, but the very act of him having to do so raises a lot of questions about Indians' commitment towards the most famous sport across the globe. 

Indian Football took to great lengths when the two most promising clubs in the Subcontinent were formed, in 1889 and in 1920, both in 'The mecca of Indian football', that being the city of Kolkata. If you're still wondering, I'm talking about the giants of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The Indian Football Capital sees as least three Kolkata Derby matches between these two clubs every year, if tournaments are played rightly, that in home amd away legs of the National League (currently the ISL) and once in the City league (CFL). The teams often meet in other tournaments like the Durand Cup. If the teams have good form, they might even meet in stages beyond the group stage. Contrary to what craze Indian football fans share with the team, Kolkata bleeds in either marron and green or in Red and Gold. The craze is ultimate, and the Stadiums are outsold every single time the two clubs meet. This craze isn't just in Kolkata but also in the Northeast, and in Kerala and Goa. Football is considered worthy of a watch even in those areas. But anywhere else in India? Not quite! Not even when the national team plays! Why is the craze lacking so much in a nation which craves entertainment?! 

It is not that football isn't quite celebrated in India. Just Indian Football isn't.  Everywhere you go about in India, you will find jerseys and caps with logos, and bands, and blazers, and whatnot displayed hugely across markets, all either in Indian Cricket team's colours, or perchance, Mumbai Indians or Kolkata Knight riders'. If not cricket, the second most displayed will be that of football, but not Indian Football. You will find Real Madrid's White, and the culer's cule, and Arsenal's red and Liverpool's red, and Bayern's red, and United's red, but not Indian football's blue, or the white. Even the marron and green of MBAC, or the red and gold of EBFC is difficult to grope. You might come across Kerala Blaster's yellow and blue, but still it is hugely outnumbered by the foreign club merchandise. Even statistically, a massive number of social media followers on Real Madrid CF's or FC Barcelona's channels are from India. It was never that football isn't quite celebrated in India, just that the same enthusiasm isn't built in Indian Football as what European, or Middle Eastern football has to offer. 

Improper Management 

It wouldn't be fine to just ask for support from football fans in India, consider you when what the management does about this situation. The management is responsible, amongst others, for the poor performance of Indian Football, in either national stage or in domestic leagues. Proper financial durability isn't applied, neither is proper gyming facilities or training programmes. The ISL is only a few months long and the players have more holidays than worktime. With just 20 matches in the league it is heavily outmoded to European football's efficiency that is a coalesced product of 38 matches. European league players are in training mode throughout the year with only holidays about the end of the year, just before winter transfer deadline. Even in the summers, the players, if chosen, represent their national teams in matches, both important and friendly. Meanwhile, Indian football starts in October and ends in the first week of March, and there's no league football for the remaining half of the year. 

India is a huge market, even for footballers. There's enough good teams to form a 20 club league and still leave India's bests out for the 2nd division. There's Dempo SC, Mahindra United and Salgaocar FC with magnificent history who hasnt even appeared recently in the I-League, let alone the ISL. Even otherwise, there's Aizawl FC, NEROCA FC, TRAU FC, Mohammedan SC, Minera Punjab, Gokulam, Delhi FC, Chennai City, Churchill Brothers, George Telegraph, etc. other teams that could be included in the ISL. 

Introducing more teams into the ISL will not only make the league sufficiently long and exciting, but the media coverage and marketing can as well be elevated. Money, as much invested, will enhance upon itself and the ultimate profit will lean towards India as a nation. But the initial investment is quite a risk that no one in power is willing to take, as of time. 

Indian National Football Team hardly gets any international exposure, playing an average of three to four games per year. The only way FIFA will be promised to entertain more matches for India is if India promises to deliver in the games at hand and improve on their rating, and make honourable breakthroughs in important tournaments. With the kinds of infrastructure AIFF plans to impose, it seems a humoungous fetch to include any recent breakthroughs as such. 

We can only hope that a shower of light will come and illuminate the darkness that Indian Football lingers in. 

By Dibyendu Maji (05.10.2022)