Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Will we strike it rich?
|
This year's World Cup is just around the corner but the search for the stars of future cups continues, and Nike reckons that young Indian players can make the grade
|
PHOTO: SAMPATH KUMAR G.P.
FUTURE POTENTIAL Sanjay Mehra, Nike General Manager, South Asia, and Sanjay Gangopadhyay, Marketing Director, feel football is set to grow in India
It is the year of World Cup football. It is needless to add that coffee-shop talk, mid-meeting discussions or even commercials on television are invariably about the fabulous game.
Promos have been launched to touch the hearts of the young and old, and Joga Bonito (Play Beautiful), sports goods manufacturing giant, Nike, is one such campaign. It captures five facets of beautiful football — joy, team, honour, skill and heart — in five commercials.
Latin Americans have always been the dazzlers of world football and so the world's `Best Footballer', Ronaldinho of Brazil and FC Barcelona take centre stage. The star has lit the pitch with his deft touch, brilliant ball control and dribbling skills that has left many a rival wrong-footed. And to add to these is his awesome goal-scoring ability that brings back memories of Pele and Maradona.
If it's the skills of these stalwarts that has made them a household name, the pride and honour with which they play for their country and flag is immeasurable. And it's these traits that have made fans throng stadiums and sit glued to TV screens with the same passion that's visible on the field.
Aiding the players to lift the game to greater heights has the new range of sports gear that is on offer today and it is often customised to the need and calibre of each player. Nike, for instance, offers Mercurial Vapor III boots, the Vapor Ball and Mercurial Training Apparel.
Tie-ups
But Nike says that they are committed to supporting grassroots football. They have tie-ups with 14 world teams like champions Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, Croatia, Morocco, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico, Belgium and Russia, and now they have entered India.
A four-month plus association in terms of kitting and facilitating the teams here has added a new fervour for footballers here.
"Our commitment is multi dimensional," says Sanjay Mehra, General Manager, South Asia while Marketing Director, Sanjay Gangopadhyay adds: "We see a great future for the game in this country. In the not too distant future the youth of India can rub shoulders with the best in world. This is our hope and our motive to associate with the game in this country. The M.U.P.C. (Manchester United Premier Cup) that was introduced this year is a big step towards identifying future talents. We had just eight teams to start off with this year.
"The Mohun Bagan junior team will play with the under-15s of Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia to qualify and rub shoulders against the like's of the best European sides. From eight we intend to touch 80 teams next year and build a stronger base for the future."
The Premier Cup event, played world over for the last 11 years, has seen World Cuppers of the future identified. Back home teams like Mahindra United and the Goan sides have all expressed interest and willingness to field their own junior sides for the coming championships, which in itself will enhance the base for selection to the senior teams.
M.U.P.C. has taken a step in the right direction and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) seems to have realised the positives in the conduct of the under-15 championships with the support of the likes of Nike .
AVINASH NAIR
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
