Four reasons why you need to support Indian Football

Everybody knows the grand narrative of what happened when the Indian Team did indeed qualify for the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In fact, it has become such a profound part of Indian footballing folklore that not many have verified this story. The fact that the Indian wizards with their bare feet wrapped in bandages and socks were not allowed to play sometimes is a bridge too far.

A few places have indeed made attempts, to tell the truth, whilst bringing out a contrasting story with regards to the flight tickets being expensive. But all in all, it has set out a grand narrative for Indian football. And as things stand, that narrative has churned out an Indian football team - one that can compete on the big stage. More importantly, one that is beginning to carry a nation’s hopes.

It took a rather emotional video from skipper Sunil Chhetri to galvanize the nation into one and bring them to the stadiums. However, many believe that one can indeed do a lot more than simply coming to the stadium and painting their faces blue. It is a lot more than that.

With the Indian football team having made the cut to play in the AFC Asian Championships for the first time, supporting and backing the team is of tantamount importance. Here are four ways you can come out and support Chhetri and his band of merry men.

#1. Football has never been bigger in India

For many years, the Premier League was one of the most watched leagues in the country. In fact, the number of Manchester United fans in India was almost equal to the number of United fans in the Balkan states put together. The passion for the game is there. It always has been and it is growing exponentially.

Since the inception of the Indian Super League, the football stadiums across India have been jam-packed. Although the tournament lasts for just three months, it is clear that the support, the passion, and the excitement is there for all to see.

Moreover, with the Indian team performing as well as they have been in recent times, it is clear that each time they walk out to play, even if they face a strong opposition, the expectation of victory is almost always there.

#2. Emerging Indian superstars

In the past, the likes of Mohammad Salim, Baichung Bhutia and perhaps even Sunil Chhetri have come within a whiff of playing in overseas professional leagues. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu struck gold when he played a UEFA Europa League Qualifier. All of this is a simple validation of the fact that football in this country is indeed making huge strides.

Now, the team consists of some spectacular players courtesy of talents that have been unearthed by the Indian Super League. There are certainly many more from where the likes of Sandesh Jhingan and Udanta Kumam came from and they are a lot more talented as one can be.

India is currently ranked number 96 in the World and things can only get better from here as far as the overall team is concerned.

#3. Fans throng to stadiums like never before

Prior to 2013, not many knew something like the I-League existed. The incorporation of Bengaluru FC was more or less like a culture shock, something that quite literally brought the entire city together. The chants, the songs, and the passion began and it was indeed there to stay. The ISL took a cue from The Blues and it was a beautiful phenomenon.

Anfield has the Kop, Old Trafford boasts of the Stretford End, and the Sree Kanteerava Stadium has the West Block A. It is no surprise that the tickets are sold out within a few days of its release.

As a result, almost every match the Indians play has a crowd in excess of 5000. A growth that has resulted from the massive fan following the ISL clubs boast of. Within a mere five years, the turnover of Indian fans who attend either matches or live-screenings when the team plays has been a pleasant surprise.

#4. Setting a grand football narrative

Ever noticed the number of people who continue speaking about the Indian team’s football qualification in the 1950 Brazil World Cup? It may have become a bedtime story for the newest generation on the block, but the simple fact is that a new grand narrative is beginning to form.

Children who ply their trade in the football academies all over the country want to become like Sunil Chhetri, or Sandesh Jhingan, or perhaps even a Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. It would seem as though the football fever has indeed caught on.