MARGAO
Former India football captain Mauricio Afonso expressed concern over the decline of the sport in the country, reflected in the abysmal standing of the national team at the continental level.
“There was a time when there were so many all-India football tournaments, which is not the case now,” Afonso told 'The Goan'. “We must remember that India was an Asian powerhouse in the 1950s and 60s and tournaments like the Rovers Cup, Durand Cup, Nizam Gold Cup, Stafford Cup, Bordoloi Trophy and IFA Shield. These tournaments introduced players who would go on to represent the country for big titles like the Asian Games,” said Afonso, who captained India twice at the Nehru Cup international tournament.
Asked to give his take on the development of the sport in Goa, the 60-year-old player-turned-coach said. “Football is okay but the Indian football is declining. In the sense, it is not like before,” said Afonso, who has coached his former team Dempo SC.
The 1960 Rome Olympics was India's last appearance at the Olympics. The Indian football team has played in four Olympics - 1948 London, 1952 Helsinki, 1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome.
“In the recent past, FC Goa have established themselves as a top club representing Goa. The players are getting good money (in the ISL). But the standard of football is not improving as much as the fans expect. They are left to wonder 'why the Indian team does not play in the Olympics?' 'Why the top players from the country do not play in the top-division European leagues?'” the former midfielder said.
Afonso is considered among the best playmakers that the country has produced. He played for Dempo SC for 15 years before joining the coaching team at the club.
Recalling his playing days at the international level, Afonso said the Indian team's performance in Merdeka Cup, Malaysia in 1986 was a memorable one.
“Competing against Yugoslavia in the Merdeka Cup,
India gave a very tough fight but lost 0-1. Alongside me, Derrick Pereira, Camilo Gonsalves and Brahamanand Shankhwalkar were part of that squad,” Afonso said.
Afonso also represented India in the 1983 Presidents Cup in Bangladesh and the 1983 Pre-Olympic qualifiers in New Delhi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh.
