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Goal, set, go... .

The AIFF is keen on finding talented players from the subcontinent

Following the football fever generated by the FIFA World Cup, some football fans in India may be tempted to wonder when and if India will ever take part in the mega event.

Going by the prevailing scenario in Indian football, the outlook is extremely bleak and chances of the Indian team playing in the final rounds of the world's premier football tournament seem too far-fetched.

But recently a plan was unveiled which is aimed at giving a big push to the game in the country. A concentrated effort involving the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Zee Sports is underway with the objective of enabling the national squad to qualify for the FIFA World Cup of 2010, or at the latest, in 2014.

While admitting the task was indeed difficult and India's track record in the recent past has not evoked any confidence, football administrators nevertheless felt that it is not totally impossible to achieve the target. That is because the official machinery both in India as well as in FIFA are interested in developing the sport in a big way in this country. One of the factors that may work in India's favour is the huge market available in this country for promoting the sport and its related commercial activities.

Some of the developmental steps that are to be taken soon include inviting foreign experts to provide inputs, deciding on the number of foreign players who could be allowed to represent Indian clubs, giving wide media coverage to national level tournaments, organising inter school tournaments in various age groups, and giving frequent exposure to the national team by providing opportunities to play against international sides which were ranked just above the Indian side.

This would enable Indian players to strive for a higher standard while at the same time not become demoralised by a severe drubbing at the hands of a far superior team, it was felt.

Also, there is an opinion among decision makers that it would be a wise step to look around for talented football players of Indian origin who have settled abroad but who may be eligible to represent India (after being provided with the necessary norms) in international tournaments.

In the past there have been many noteworthy examples of countries, which have reaped the benefit of inviting its players who have settled abroad, to represent them in major tournaments.

Moreover, talent scouting would be done all across the country to unearth players who have talent as well as height and good physique to match European rivals. It was learnt that the present national coach Bob Haughton feels that taller and stronger players are needed if India is to make an impact on the international scene.

But perhaps the most welcome news was that the FIFA President Sepp Blatter had expressed his support for any move aimed at furthering the sport in the Indian subcontinent and the AIFF too was keen to chart a new course that would see that football standards take a quantum leap all across the country in the near future.

ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA

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