Indian club football's most high-profile import, RohanRicketts believes that the football authorities in this country have to workhard in giving the home-grown players a face. He felt that the I-League hasmany Indian players, who are talented, but are not being given due recognitionwhen in reality, these skillful Indian players could be the face of theI-League.
According to former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur midfielderRicketts, who now plays for Dempo SC, affirm that there is a perception in thestate that goal-scorers are the best players of the respective teams. "TheIndian players have to be marketed in a good way. Don't just look at someonewho scores goals. Spot the creativity," urges Ricketts.
India is a big country where there is a certain 'way ofdoing things'. And football cannot be immune to this 'Indian way', as Rickettsreveals. Ricketts displayed shock over the fact that young players were notshowing enough hunger towards football. Don't you want to improve? questionsRicketts. Added to this, there are organisational matters like playing kitsbeing distributed close to the fixtures, and other issues coming out of lack ofcommunication.
"All these factors are very difficult, to adjust to.Sometimes, I have felt frustrated. I want the younger players to have a hungerfor the game.... And I want to make a difference, I have not come here to earnmoney. It's not a vacation. If I can't make a difference and if people are notgoing to be inspired by the right way of doing things like where I was broughtup at Arsenal, then it makes you frustrated. But I will always keepfighting," says the former England youth international.
