Apropos ‘The price of football friendlies: Glamour versus vision’ (September 24, 2026). There is nothing wrong with inviting Brazil or Uruguay to India. The problem begins when a footballing system still searching for its feet spends up to Rs 90 crore to borrow someone else’s glory for 90 minutes. Elite opposition may provide exposure, but exposure without a development pipeline is merely expensive entertainment. Worse, sacrificing competitive regional football for glamour friendlies risks confusing visibility with progress. That money could strengthen academies, coaching, youth competitions and infrastructure, especially in the North-East, where football already has deep roots. India does not need to host the world’s best to feel like a football nation. It needs to build players capable of eventually standing alongside them.
K. CHIDANAND KUMAR, Bengaluru
