In the last few years, Indian football has gone down in terms of standards, with no clear roadmap, uncertainty over perspective, and the below-par infrastructure has led Indian football to lose in every area. And now, the future and the way it should go, everything looks dark. Cricket made its monopoly everywhere, and football, the most famous sport all over the world, has overshadowed in India. Indian football needs to wake up. The AIFF and district associations need to change their approach to football. From the ISL dilemma to the Messi incident, everything gave a wake-up call, and it is high time to see Indian Football with a bird's eye view and also with an updated perspective to make sure the future of Indian football is in safe hands.
Here is what we can expect
A better environment for football
Football in India has lost its spirit. Back when youngsters used to tie their shoelaces, they only meant to play football. Now, in the era of Esports and FIFA games, no one really shows up on the field. Still. Children choose cricket over Football. Football is a less expensive sport; it needs systematic changes to become a popular choice. To achieve this, everything from player management to organisational structure must be upgraded.
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Local tournaments in different age groups
In some areas of India, football has become an extinct sport. Organising local tournaments, which were once considered benchmarks in villages, has become difficult nowadays. Players from different age groups need to participate in these tournaments. Otherwise, players will start to feel the lack of competition.
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A clear roadmap
To revamp Indian football, the head bodies need to decide on a clear roadmap. From top to bottom, in every area, there should be a clear roadmap, just like cricket.
Strong grassroots coaching and early talent spotting
Indian football has talent, but it often goes unnoticed or untrained. One of the main reasons is the lack of proper coaching at the grassroots level. Young players need trained coaches who understand modern football and player development. State associations should focus on coach education.
Better connection between leagues and the national team
There is a clear gap between domestic leagues and the national team’s long-term goals. Indian leagues should not exist only for entertainment or short-term results. They must help develop players for the national setup. Playing time for youngsters, season planning, and competition structure should support national team needs. When clubs, leagues, and the national team work in the same direction, Indian football can grow steadily.
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Indian football’s legacy should not stop with Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri; the potential should be unfolded and needs to be explored.
