Margao
Manipur and Services played fast and attacking soccer at the Nehru Stadium to win the hearts of the passionate football fans on Wednesday evening.
It was Services, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win over hosts Goa, which walked away with a 3-1 win over Manipur to clinch gold. But the final glory has kick started more aspirations and much higher goals for players from both the teams.
The few fans who made it to the stadium saw a rich crème of talent on view. Talent who are not in action in Indian Super League and I-league, but waiting in the wings to break in to the top clubs of the two premier leagues in the country.
It is not just the two top leagues that the players are aiming for, the ultimate aim is to play for the country, a dream cherished and nurtured by many football players.
Coaches of both the teams felt that many of the players who played in the final have it in them to make the national team in the years to come.
The question is who will spot them and shortlist them for the national team talent pool, with no All India Football Federation (AIFF) talent spotters on view at the stadium.
“I did not come across any talent scouts of the All India Football Federation at the Goa tournament. If there was anyone here I am not aware, since no one met me or no one informed me of the talent scouts present at the tournament,” said Services coach Mileswamy Govindaraju Ramachandran.
Ideally they (talent scouts) should be present at the venue,” he added.
“I am happy and privileged that I am coaching a team which has contributed many players in the past and hopefully some of my players from the present team will go on and represent the country,” added the services tactician.
Ramachandran said the squad which took the field in the final of the National Games was the same one which duty for in the qualifying rounds of the Santosh trophy held recently, while his counterpart at Manipur team said they have retained the same team which saw action in the state level national championship qualifying rounds.
Manipur coach Thangjam Saran Singh, was pleased with the performance of the team and gave full credit to his team for the consistent show in the Santosh trophy qualifiers and the National Games.
He also said that no talent scouts from AIFF were present at the venue.
“We have some talented players and hopefully they will play for some of the top clubs in ISI and I league and also for the national team,” he said.
Asked if talent scouts should have been present for the National Games Thangjam replied in the affirmative.
“It is always good to have a large pool of players and AIFF should be working to find the talent, groom them and if they are fit enough, give them a chance to play for the national team.”
