01 January,2017 12:08 PM IST | | Noel D'Souza
India’s show in the U-17 World Cup could be the defining moment in the country’s football history
The Indian team which took part in the AFC Under-16 championship held in India last year. Pic/AIFF
Though the inception of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014 has managed to bring football to the surface of Indian sports, it has never really emerged from the shadows of cricket in the sub-continent. But football aficionados need not lose hope.
The beautiful game, which is definitely going through a transitional phase, has another lifeline in the form of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup that will be held in India for the first time from October 6 to 28 this year. Football experts, administrators, former and current players believe that the game will definitely get a shot in the arm hosting such a prestigious event.
International stars like Germany's Toni Kroos, Colombian and Real Madrid mid-fielder James Rodriguez, Dutch forward Memphis Depay and Brazilian striker Neymar have all made their mark in the U-17 World Cup before taking world football by storm. The Indian U-17 players will rub shoulders with football's future stars and it is an opportunity for fans too to revel in this atmosphere.
"Bringing the World Cup to the country is in itself a big initiative. But, it's just the start. We should set an example and I hopethis tournament has a massive impact on Indian football," said India skipper and the country's highest goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri.
"Hosting a tournament of such stature will also help galvanise the face of Indian football among the masses and youth of the country. At the moment, football is popular in certain pockets in India. With the U-17 World Cup taking place, I strongly believe that the popularity will swell to new heights and the mission of making football a pan-India sport will be realised," the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel said.
Ever since India bagged the rights to host the 17th edition of the mega event, football in the country has been on an upward curve. The young guns have trotted the globe-gaining exposure in European conditions for long spells. They have played international friendlies against football giants like Brazil, Russian and Iran.
The tutelage against foreign teams saw India qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship last year, a makeshift dress rehearsal ahead of the 24-team U-17 World Cup. Although India were eliminated following a 0-3 defeat against Iran in their final Group A encounter, the rich experience was gold dust.
"They are doing really well. Give them everything possible -- right coaching, infrastructure, education, but how much we do it can never be enough," Chhetri pointed out since expecting a miracle from India will be highly unfair.
Putting Chhetri's words in perspective, former India coach Armando Colaco said: "We will only get experience of playing in this tournament, don't expect results. What is our growth in football today? It's very limited. We can't play football at a fast pace like the South Americans or the Europeans."
"Whatever change happens, is going to be a long-term process," added Colaco.
The change in the football landscape is evident and is unfolding right in front of us, but how the "long-term" process unfolds will determine the future of the sport in the country.
"I have observed that this team have a very good understanding and they are combining really well. I would prefer to keep them together for the next two years. We may get the kids to play in the ISL, so that they are financially secure. But if they play for India together for sometime we may get good results," felt former India skipper Baichung Bhutia, also an advisor of the AIFF.
Chhetri added: "I hope the boys continue to get the same facilities and this should spread to the other age groups as well.
Whatever good we are doing for this batch should carry on. This shouldn't be a one-off thing." Fans in the country hope the FIFA event provides the right dose to uplift the sport and Chhetri wants this to be a movement towards growth and development.
"This should be a movement. If everyone plays a small part, only then this sport will grow. If we have enough clubs, top academies, decent education, trust me things will change very drastically," he added.
