The AIFF has been responsible for the affairs of football in India since its inception in 1937 in Shimla. FIFA then approved the formation of this body in 1948 and through this set up Indian football, which initially lacked a firm institution, now had an organization to give a proper boost and direction to the game.
One man who has headed the AIFF for 18 years is the Indian Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ministry Mr.Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, a position he has kept control of since 1988. His report cards on football are not impressive but let’s spare the time to judge what the man heading the body of the “beautiful game” has done in India. Of course, it is only in India where we would find the ‘minister of propaganda’ as the head of the football federation! It certainly helps to whirl the bad news of the long-lasting state of misery that Indian football finds itself in.
So, let’s see how the minister fairs up, after all 18 years is a significant time to affect a turnaround in a sport’s fortunes. In these 18 years India has not qualified for the World Cup and five of them have gone by. So what, many other countries have not qualified for the World Cup at all! It is a dream, many have not achieved. The Asian Cup perhaps? India last qualified for it in 1984 and after a 4-1 win in the 2008 AFC finals India gained direct entry to the prestigious Asian tournament after 24 years. Indian football is no stranger to adversity, hence to gain its points the relief comes from the South Asian Football Federation Cup (SAFF). Established in 1977 and includes countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Maldives. These wins merit two lines in the FIFA news briefs and India has won four out of the last six titles.
The SAFF Cup has become the vital source of India’s wishy-washy movement in the FIFA rankings. The exposure tours to Portugal by the Indian team were initiatives of the national coach Bob Houghton who put pressure more than a request to the AIFF to let the team train abroad with facilities which are world-class. And the results of those trips were victory in the Nehru Cup 2007 and AFC Cup 2008. With back to back wins and gaining a promotion in the FIFA ranking, 151st position is definitely low but for Indian football a certain rise. The President has done very little to prop up the national team to play more matches to perk up the ranking or to gain international experience as a team.
In 18 years, the AIFF has changed 9 coaches producing no results and with Bob Houghton now taking over the hot seat his style of coaching seems to fit the Indian team and their success speaks for itself. But instead of investing in an experienced coach from the beginning to keep the game alive, the AIFF killed the interest of many football lovers in India by choosing to be lethargic about these vital decisions concerning the sport. Football stadia in the country lack basic facilities like dressing rooms, proper wash-rooms etc which is extremely disappointing. The federation has been oblivious to the basic details which play a major role in building the image of the game. Talking exclusively to this blog, Indian midfielder Mehrajuddin Wadoo explains this point further, “the poor condition of the game is because of the AIFF, FIFA and the government. They are not generous in providing proper facilities for footballers. We don’t get the same facilities like our European counterparts and that’s why the game is not so popular in many parts of the country.”
Basic infrastructure requirements and a need for youth programmes form the opening of a long list of complaints. The next blooper gives us a better picture of the mess. “When we are promised something, we should be getting it but it’s really pathetic that we have to wait for months together to see our promises materialize by the AIFF” says another national footballer who prefers to remain unnamed. Referring to the “promised something” as the match fees that is not delivered to the players on time. He then went on to make a stronger point saying, “The promises made by people (AIFF) have only been “air-talk”, look at the cricketers they get cores of rupees when they win, we are not money hungry but if we are promised something then it should be delivered.” This clearly shows how the AIFF is treating its players by denying them even their basic rights, leave alone making improvements in the facilities for the men who serve the national team. But despite all the odds the passion for the game drives most players to go out on the field and perform for their country time after time and the federation seems to abuse that passion. Sunil Chhetri remarks about this situation by saying, “Every time we wear the blue jersey and stand for the national anthem, it is an amazing feeling. The money generated while playing for the country isn’t enormous and we survive on the bulk of money we get playing for clubs.”
FIFA’s vision statement for Indian football is “Win in India with India” a programme designed to promote the game in the country and improve the present scenario. But despite the efforts being made by FIFA, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi and his team have been largely unsuccessful in abiding to any of the promises that were made on paper. Come to think of it, FIFA should give a red card to AIFF for the state of our football. An optimistic Sunil Chhetri explains what should be done by the AIFF, “The federation, coaches, players and media need to come together for the betterment of football.”
There are plenty that the AIFF needs to address if, that is, it harbours hopes of making India a big footballing country even in Asia. The federation needs to have a professional approach and avoid bloopers. Perhaps someone needs to also challenge the minister who has occupied the seat for 18 years, a revamp of the office maybe? FIFA President, Joseph S.Blatter made a trip to India to promote the vision statement in India and remarked about the football condition, “In many aspects, India is a sleeping giant which needs to wake up.” It’s now AIFF’s duty to respond to the vision statement and work towards bearing some fruits or else the sleeping giant shall be rest to peace forever. And India should not miss a chance to leave a footprint into the most “beautiful game”.
Natasha D’souza
(An Indian football lover who wants CHANGE)
