JOIN USFootball fanatics in the country have been getting their fair share of excitement ever since the Indian Super League (ISL) began.
For a change, people have been filling stadiums to watch some other sport but cricket. This so-called sports revolution which has gripped the nation has spread not just to cricket and football, but to hockey, tennis and kabaddi as well.
The youth of the City are excited by this ‘revolution’. Tejas, a passionate footballer, says, “The ISL is bringing out the potential in players, and they are playing more technical football. We just knew how to kick the ball.” He adds, “This will help build an exclusive identity for football. There should be a legacy of football from now on.”
Fans says it is a good platform to promote football in India. Upamanyu Urs, a hotel management student, says, “It’s good to know that more importance is given to a sport that isn’t cricket. Being a football fan, the introduction of the ISL makes me happy.” Neelima Sadanand, a hardcore Manchester United fan, says, “I think it's an excellent start for football in India. Cynicism involving the funding and agenda behind any initiative in India is understandable. But I don't think that should overshadow the initial intention.
The fact is, great international footballers are teaching on Indian soil and our football players finally have an identity. We can't always say ‘So sad, nobody cared till now’ or ‘Who cares, cricket will always rule’. This is a good start and it should be supported.” There are some who have concerns.
Nakul, another eager footballer, says, “I think it’s a great thing for Indian football but at the same time, the I-league shouldn’t be over shadowed by it, and that is currently happening.” Nikhil Poddar says, “It is a good thing because it encourages football in India. But ever since the IPL, rich people have just discovered another way of making money.”
Some, like Arjit Deb, don’t think the ISL will change much. “The ISL won’t be able to bring the craze of football that exists in the European nations because most of the players here are foreigners. For it to become a craze here, we need to do something bigger. ISL must be played during the months of July-August, when most of the big leagues like La Liga, Bundesliga and EPL are over and all the star players are free.
With a special help from FIFA, we should player like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Ozil, Robben, Bale and more for few matches just to encourage the crowd,” he says. He adds, “And there should football camps in every district with all modern amenities to bring up the future talent of Indian football.
In the future, there must be teams from every state where the national players will play for foreign clubs and foreign players might play for our local clubs. Then only will India become a football-playing country and might stand a chance to play in the FIFA World Cup.”