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India has another three years before it plays host to the Under-17 FIFA World Cup, host of the Cup implies automatic qualification for the team. But can Indians really shine in the sport in just three years, maybe or maybe not. Most countries have improved stadiums, facilities and academies for the development of football at youth levels but India lacks in all of these fields.
The Indian football league or commonly as it is known as “the I-League” failed to make any major claims amongst the Asian Footballing clubs, not many famous foreign players played in the I-league either and thus the popularity of the sport has been limited. Despite famous players like Pele, Maradona & Figo having visited India in the past but such visits can only make one appreciate the sport till the visit lasts, but fail to make football a national sport. Most Footballers in India either come from West Bengal or North East India or from the state of Goa, while the contribution of the remaining 26 states rarely contribute national footballers.
The All India Football Federation opted to bring in the big money style league that has been vastly successful in the sport of Cricket & Badminton in India, although the move has received opposition from the players in the I-league. The inaugural edition is set to begin in September this year. The association of the God like Cricketers and Movie Stars mean there will certainly be the entertainment factor that would be mixed with Indian Football. The ISL would also mean arrival of more overseas players, which would imply to more experiences being shared in the Dressing room, something a youth footballer in India is rarely ever privileged to.
The agreement between EPL & ISL means assistance in development of the clubs and the leagues, The EPL will also assist in establishing club governance, shaping the brand, fan engagement techniques and methods which are proven in European Countries and certain Asian Countries. So its possible success in the Indian scenario will only be known once the inaugural season begins, but the amount of exposure through the foreign players and coaches should be something to look forward to for the players.
Coming back to the original question is ISL the answer to India’s footballing troubles, perhaps not. But, ISL could be a possible first step in the process of revival of the sport of football in India, setting up of Academies, training and development of players and providing the players with the needed facility, these can only be done once an environment for the sport is created in the country & ISL might just be the best chance India has at achieving this.
If all goes well in the positive direction then the team that plays the under-17 World Cup in 2017 may tag along with their senior counterparts in an attempt to qualify India to the FIFA World Cup of 2022 in Qatar.
