In an unprecedented move, Indian football captain Sunil Chettri made a video appeal over social media a few days ago, imploring fans to come and cheer the team in the stadium for the on-going, Hero Intercontinental Cup.
Chettri seems to have decided to do this, after only 2,000 fans watched India demolish Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the first game.
In his video appeal, which garnered many eyeballs, Chettri said, “To everyone who is not a football fan, please come and watch us for two reasons. No. 1 “ it is the best game in the world and No. 2 “ we play for our country. We will make sure that once you come to watch us, you will not return the same person back home.”
Addressing people who may have lost faith in the national team, Chhetri said, “To all of you who are fans of big European clubs and support European clubs with so much passion, thinking that the level is not the same. Agreed, the level is not the same, it is not even close. But with our desire and determination, we will make sure to make your time worth it.”
He further added, “You guys have no idea how important you are and your support is. I am requesting all of you to come support us on 4th, 7th and hopefully 10th June when we are playing in Mumbai. Encourage us, watch us, abuse us, criticise us, talk about the game, go back home and have discussions, make banners but please get involved.”
“This is a very important time and juncture in Indian football and football in India needs you guys. So, come and support us, in Mumbai and wherever we play. Jai Hind!” Chettri said.
Chettri’s appeal had the desired effect. Close to 10,000 fans braved heavy rains to cram the Andheri football stadium in Mumbai for the India-Kenya match. With the beating of the drums and full throated shouts of ‘India-India’ and ‘Chettri-Chettri’, the fans egged the team to demolish the Kenyans 3-0.
Before the start of the game, former India skipper Baichung Bhutia, the only other Indian footballer with more than 100 international caps, felicitated Chettri, for what was going to be his 100th game for India. Chettri rose to the special occasion by sinking in two goals against the hapless Africans.
Post the game, Chettri, as has become customary for him, asked his team mates to accompany him on a victory lap around the ground, with his head bent and hands folded in a ‘namaste’ thanking the fans for their support.
Sunil Chettri, 33 is quite clearly the face of Indian football and keeps the interest in the game alive for his club ( Bengaluru FC) and nation every time he steps on the green turf.
These are good days for Indian football. From an abysmal 170 something position on the international football pecking order not so long ago, the Indian team has catapulted to its present 97th position on the strength of many positive initiatives. This augurs extremely well for the growing popularity of the sport in the country.
How has this happened? To begin with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) must be complimented for introducing the professional I-League in the country in the year 2007 and the Indian Super League (ISL) in the year 2014.
The I-League first and now the ISL have caught the imagination of the football fans in India, who have actually begun paying good money to watch the action live in the stadiums. The two leagues have provided money and employment to the country’s best footballers, making the sport more attractive to potential players.
Besides, the AIFF has also taken pains to start a grassroots football movement across the country. In collaboration with several proactive, state football associations, the AIFF has trained grassroots leaders (GR leaders), who in turn have been tasked to start grassroots centres which are affiliated to the respective state associations.
Most of the ISL and I-League teams have also opened grassroots programmes and are training players in the under 12 and under 14 age groups.
Finally, the AIFF started regional training academies in centres like Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa, which is complemented by similar academies run by private bodies across the country. Some of the notable mentions are the Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur, the Premier Indian Football Academy, Mumbai and the multiple, Baichung Bhutia Football schools.
Last but not the least, the AIFF has done well to retain the services of senior football coach Stephen Constantine for the longest time, in sharp contrast to Hockey India’s constant chop and change policy vis-Ã -vis coaches.
Given this happy background, football is clearly on the upswing in India. And if we take skipper Chettri’s message to heart and support the men in Blue, India could be an international, sub-75 number team very soon!
