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A modern day football fan in India is someone who follows international and European football, and has a club or two for whom he exhibits his utmost passion. Yes, there are people in certain regions of the country who are crazy about Indian football but they are outnumbered by these modern day football fans in the country. Before getting into the core of this topic, let’s look at a couple of other instances that brought about a significant change in sports.
June 25, 1983 is a day that changed the face of cricket in India. Ever since India had lifted the cricket world cup in 1983, the craze for the game has seen new heights. Today, the game, and players who have taken up this sport, continue to receive unanimous support from fans. So much so that a cricketing superstar earns way more money through advertising rather than through playing cricket. This is down to the fact that advertising agencies want players who have extensive reach in the country and we, the fans, have made these cricketers into superstars.
There was this period starting late 90s when European football, and English Premier League (EPL) in particular, started to blossom in the sub-continent. Thanks to superstars like Beckham and co. plus strong marketing of EPL, this brought about a significant change in India. Today, EPL matches are witnessed in houses of every common sports fan in India.
Football in India has reached new heights. Nowadays, the game is followed with supreme passion and it would be safe to say that modern day kids play football on the streets as much as cricket, if not more. Similarly, football jerseys of various European clubs are worn with similar passion as a Mumbai Indians or Delhi Daredevils jersey. Today, every kid has a hero in football. Things have evolved so extensively that nowadays European clubs boast of official fan clubs in India and also generate considerable revenue through Indian market.
While fans have taken their passion for European clubs to new heights, Indian football remains the same – bleak and least bothered. Unfortunately, the golden period of Indian football during the 1950s was unable to grab the attention of Indian fans like how the cricket world cup did in 1983. And today, when the game has reignited the passion across the length and breadth of the country, Indian football has again failed to benefit from it.
Yes, we want the football bodies across the country to make wise decisions and improve the state of football in India, and we also want club owners and management to run a football club in the way any other modern day clubs are being run across the globe.
But as much as we expect positive steps to be taken by other stakeholders in Indian football, a certain responsibility also lies with the fans, who happen to be a very precious stakeholder in their own way. Fans are arguably the heart and soul of a football club. While we also wait for the authorities to make necessary changes to improve the state of Indian football, fans must also ensure their support for football in the country at the same time.
Now, there are two benefits of a common fan taking interest in Indian football and following Indian clubs. Firstly, good attendance at stadiums and good overall support will ensure revenue for the clubs through ticket sales, sponsorship, etc. Sponsors want to invest money where there are good amount of audience. A packed stadium would attract potential sponsors and also media attention. This would generate revenue that could be re-invested in developing the club.
Secondly, and more importantly, a packed house would add to the atmosphere in stadiums. Ask any football player in India and they would relish the thought of playing regularly in packed stadiums.
Yes, you certainly might not see the standard of football seen in other top footballing nations or you might not see a player anywhere close to the stature of Messi or Ronaldo. But the fact is that there is talent in the country and it needs recognition and encouragement from fans.
It doesn’t matter if the city or state you come from does not have a football club. You can pick your team like you did when you choose to support your favorite European club, or simply follow the league and make it more popular in India. Today, I-League is telecast all across the country and this makes it easy for football lovers to take notice of it.
Every Indian would love the prospect of watching their national team play in the FIFA World Cup, but let’s not wait for that to happen before we actually start supporting them. Football is different from cricket; it has a much global reach and the competition levels are way too high. The fact is, Indian football needs your support to reach new heights. So, let’s not wait for superstars to rise or success to come India’s way before we start showing our love for Indian football.
