For India's Football, The Best Way Forward: Pertinent questions, few answers

 
DELHI, India - Nov. 2, 2020 - PRLog -- Like all other disciplines, football activities, too, came to a screeching halt once the Covid-19 related lockdown was announced in March. For Indian soccer lovers, it was a futile summer season – innumerable local leagues across the country remained suspended; even the district leagues and tournaments were severely affected.

Strangely, it hardly made the news. While the last-minute completion of ISL and cancellation of I-League midway through hit headlines, few cared to enquire how badly hit was the game at the state and grassroots level.

Back in their Delhi headquarters, the only time the All India Football Federation (AIFF) made a mention of states was when they sat down to distribute the FIFA grant on Covid-19.

Truth to tell, few nowadays stand surprised by this dismissive attitude towards football in states. Because this arrogance is considered the neo-normal of Indian football. Nothing matters in Indian football currently, except for one private competition. Important is the eye-catching decoration on the top of the pyramid, not the structure that holds it up.

Under the circumstances, the recently published book on football, "For India's Football, The Best Way Forward," has come as a pleasant surprise. Written by veteran journalist SS Shreekumar and published by HSRA Publications, Bengaluru, the book is like a treasure hunt in Indian football.

In 21 chapters, Shreekumar has given a highly readable account of how football has developed in different states over the years and how the decline of the game in certain states has loosened the soil on which Indian football once thrived.

Shreekumar's description of football in states is not all about his viewpoints only. It is backed with solid facts. After every chapter, there is a list of footballers, who have so far represented the national team from that particular state. It is a painstaking compilation, which will go a long way in making the task of future researchers much easier.

Chapter Five, which also happens to be one of the longest in the book, is a fascinating one. It talks about the past and present days of football in Mysore/Karnataka. Shreekumar's in-depth knowledge of Karnataka football and the legendary players it has produced over the years will enrich the modern-day readers to a great extent.

According to the writer, the near abolition of institutional teams at the top tier in the name of AFC Club Licensing policy is like a nail in the coffin of Indian club football. He is not far from the truth.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3mJVwMU

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