India’s focus on Football

What is the issue?

• India recently hosted the U-17 World Cup, the first FIFA.
• This experience shows that India must build on it with focus on grassroots.

What is the significance of U-17 World cup?

• This U-17 World Cup has proved to be a real eye-opener,the standard and quality have been very high up until now.
• It’s an educating, enriching experience for everyone related to Indian football.
• Awesome individual skills have combined with superb tactical sense and fantastic game management.
• India’s U-17 players got the sort of exposure and opportunity that they would not otherwise have.
• The footballers captured the imagination of the public, with players like goalkeeper becoming household names.
• India embraced the tournament wholeheartedly, with the turnout over the three weeks shattering previous attendance records for a FIFA youth tournament.
• Over 1.3 million people thronged the stadiums, with the crowds in football-crazy Kolkata in particular a sight to behold during the finals.

What are the areas India need to plan on football?

• India already started a national U-15 league two years ago and a U-13 league is scheduled to begin soon.

• The 5-12 age group must now be the focus, with the involvement of local clubs.
• The All India Football Federation has already expressed a desire to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019.
• Having competently staged a global event, it is more important now to focus on the grassroots.
• Youth development in Indian football has hitherto been non-existent, except in a few, devoted academies.
• More organised, competitive football, starting from the youngest of age groups, is vital.
• Improvement in infrastructure, with new training grounds built and existing stadiums upgraded, should ensure a longer legacy for football in the country.

Source: The Hindu, Financial express