PANAJI
The world’s greatest sporting spectacle, the Football World Cup will begin from June 11. But, as usual, the world’s most populous country India will not be participating in this global event. In fact, India has never been its participant in her 96-year-old history. Even tiny countries such as Curaçao (population - 156,000) and Cape Verde (population - 525,000) will be there at this edition of World Cup, but not India.
Indian football has reached such a low stage that it is ranked 139 among 211 nations according to latest FIFA rankings. In Asia, the country is ranked 25 among 45 countries.
“Forget the World Cup. We must first target to be among the best in Asia. Once we reach top-level in Asian football, may be among top-10, we can think of qualifying for Football World Cup, not before that,” said Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, legendary Goan goalkeeper and former captain Indian football team.
But, for that to happen, there need to be drastic changes done in our domestic football structure and our football officials needs to implement these changes practically, feels Brahmanand.
This edition of World Cup will witness 48 nations out of which 8 are from Asia.
“Planning has to start early. Rigorous efforts need to be put. Plenty of exposure has to be there. Coaching methods has to be proper. Playing only within India won’t help much, however talented the kid may be. The child needs to go out of the country and have exposure with top-football playing nation,” said the Padmashree awardee.
“Our domestic structure needs to be improved a lot. Tournaments like I-League should be made more competitive. Also, more Indian players should get opportunity to play in the ISL. When national intertest comes, clubs must release the players playing in the I-League, ISL so that they can play for the country because nation come first,” feels the Arjuna Awardee.
Brahmanand further added, “Earlier, the state football league used to close within six months. For the next six months, there is hardly any football tournament taking place. It is just village level matches. During these six months which are idle, we lose out on many talented kids. More football tournaments must be held during this time so that the players remain busy throughout the year.”
According to Brahmanand, during his playing days in 70’s and 80’s, there used to be many football tournaments held in places like Kolkata, Kerala during the entire year and top teams like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Dempo, Salgaocar, JCT used to participate in these tournaments. Also, national players used to participate. So, there was a lot of exposure for the players. These tournaments have now reduced drastically. Today, there are not even 20 top-level football tournaments happening in the country.
“It is high time we revive the prestigious football tournaments like Rovers Cup, Nehru Cup, IFA Shield” he said.
“Every coach who steps in to take responsibility of our national team should take opinion from former players, not just from the selected players for the national side. Overall picture of entire nation is very much required,” said the legendary goalkeeper.
Grass-root level development program is the key to success if one needs to become a top-football playing nation.
Shankhwalkar feels more and more teams from other countries at U-12, U-15 and U- 17 level need to be invited in our country for constant exposure to our youth. When our youth in thousands can see these matches, they will learn, it will also create more interest among them.
“Child development is very much important. One may design the program scientifically; health, strength and speed wise, the thoughts in the child mind should not be diverted at a very young age. Only a coach can understand a child’s mind, his likes and dislikes, accordingly he must polish a child’s talent. Good coaching at a young age is very important and every football club in the country must have their own grass root development program,” said the Arjuna awardee from Goa.
