Shimla-the birthplace of the Durand Cup and the Indian Air Force ...

football tournament in India (third oldest in the world) was
started in Shimla. It was named after the then foreign secretary
of India - Sir Mortimer Durand, who inaugurated it.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) administers the game
in India. It is associated with the Asian Football Confederation
and the worldwide body FIFA and was responsible for
establishing the National Football League, which was the first
semi-professional football league of the country. Later the
I-League was founded after the disbanding of the National
Football League.
The I-League tournament is contested between 14 clubs each
season and the bottom two clubs are replaced by two teams
which are promoted from the I-League 2nd Division. The
popular football tournaments held in India are the Federation
Cup, the Durand Cup, the Indian Super Cup, Santosh Trophy
and the IFA Shield. India stands at a shocking 147 in the FIFA
rankings today. Indian football has not shown any spectacular
performances in the past few years, instead two major clubs
have folded up due to lack of funds and depressing results.
Mahindra United a strong team withdrew from the I-League
last year while recently the Punjab based JCT Club ended its
association with the sport causing widespread heartbreaks.
The JCT club pulled out of the I-League after the team was
relegated to the 2nd division following a dismal performance.
Several fans were upset and felt concerned about the upcoming
and aspiring players in the northern part of the country who
will now have no club to join. It means lesser opportunities for
the local talent. The standard of Indian football definitely needs
a drastic boost. Sponsors, media and the sports authorities need
to work out a way to improve the facilities offered for the game
and help in enhancing the training and development of players
which can hold their own in the world arena. A fan very aptly
wonders how “a population of 1 billion can’t produce 11 good
footballers”.
This is the thought in my mind as I see my daughters chasing
the ball all around my garden, intent only on manoeuvring the
ball into my jasmine bush, which is their temporary goal post,
oblivious to the mud accumulating as they slip on the wet grass
spoiling a pair of decent shorts!
Watching them I think it is time to wake up and focus our energies
to encourage such immense pool of raw talent from all parts of
our country and work towards improving this exhilarating sport
and I am sure one day we will have 11 Bhaichung Bhutias on the
Indian team, bringing much awaited laurels to Indian football.
history
purple beret July 2011 35