The rise and rise of Indian Football
Come
on India, Lets Football! Over the years, these words have reverberated across
the nation, making children and adults alike support their favourite
footballing side. The rise of football in India is not solely credited to the
emergence of the Indian Super League; yes the ISL has gained interest among
many in India and across the world with their over-hyped marketing campaigns
and celebrity endorsements, but that has never changed the fact that India has
always had a strong love for the beautiful game, and the credit goes to each
and every football academy and soccer school that have helped in not developing
and nurturing footballing talent, but also help in shaping kids to go after
their dreams, and make them realise that they too can become a Ronaldo or Messi
one day.
As much as I credit the football academies and soccer schools across the nation for nurturing future talent, I must at the same time give credit to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the introduction of youth leagues at various ages (U13, U15 and 18) respectively for giving kids across India the chance to show off their skills, and ultimately get noticed by scouts from not only top clubs in India, but from rest of the world as well. The governing body of Indian football itself has seen a change in management over the last few years to bring about the development of youth in India. With the likes of Richard Hood being appointed as the head of youth development, and other like-minded individuals who have not only the knowledge but the desire and willingness to identify top talent and put India on the footballing map in the years to come.
Over the last year or so, I have noticed the rise of something which was well-established in major footballing countries, but unheard to many Indians. A concept called the ‘Baby League’. The aim of this league is to develop and nurture kids with technical aspects of the game, so by the time they reach their teens they are technically sound and gifted. As an owner and coach of a football school, we took our U8, U10 and U12 kids to play and compete in Bangalore’s first baby league called the ‘The Community League’. Ten of the very best academies in the city competing against each other for bragging rights, one would say, but most importantly a chance for the kids to show their skills, fall in love with the beautiful game, and most importantly for parents to understand and realise how important sport at a very young age can help in the holistic development of a child.
I always knew the city of Bangalore has an abundance of footballing talent, but boy was I surprised with the level of skill that these young kids had. It not only surprised me, but it also gave me hope knowing that the future is definitely bright for Indian football. India has never shy of footballing talent, and with developmental leagues like these, it not gives kids the platform to showcase their talent, but also the hunger and desire to make their dreams of becoming a footballer a reality.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that these leagues not only help in identifying potential talent, but it also makes them understand that with every victory, you suffer defeat at times, and teaching that to kids at a very young age to enjoy the highs of winning and deal with the lows of a loss makes them mentally stronger, which is a very important aspect for an athlete. Let the Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of today inspire the Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of tomorrow. Never be afraid to ‘Go After Your Goals’.
As much as I credit the football academies and soccer schools across the nation for nurturing future talent, I must at the same time give credit to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the introduction of youth leagues at various ages (U13, U15 and 18) respectively for giving kids across India the chance to show off their skills, and ultimately get noticed by scouts from not only top clubs in India, but from rest of the world as well. The governing body of Indian football itself has seen a change in management over the last few years to bring about the development of youth in India. With the likes of Richard Hood being appointed as the head of youth development, and other like-minded individuals who have not only the knowledge but the desire and willingness to identify top talent and put India on the footballing map in the years to come.
Over the last year or so, I have noticed the rise of something which was well-established in major footballing countries, but unheard to many Indians. A concept called the ‘Baby League’. The aim of this league is to develop and nurture kids with technical aspects of the game, so by the time they reach their teens they are technically sound and gifted. As an owner and coach of a football school, we took our U8, U10 and U12 kids to play and compete in Bangalore’s first baby league called the ‘The Community League’. Ten of the very best academies in the city competing against each other for bragging rights, one would say, but most importantly a chance for the kids to show their skills, fall in love with the beautiful game, and most importantly for parents to understand and realise how important sport at a very young age can help in the holistic development of a child.
I always knew the city of Bangalore has an abundance of footballing talent, but boy was I surprised with the level of skill that these young kids had. It not only surprised me, but it also gave me hope knowing that the future is definitely bright for Indian football. India has never shy of footballing talent, and with developmental leagues like these, it not gives kids the platform to showcase their talent, but also the hunger and desire to make their dreams of becoming a footballer a reality.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that these leagues not only help in identifying potential talent, but it also makes them understand that with every victory, you suffer defeat at times, and teaching that to kids at a very young age to enjoy the highs of winning and deal with the lows of a loss makes them mentally stronger, which is a very important aspect for an athlete. Let the Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of today inspire the Ronaldo’s and Messi’s of tomorrow. Never be afraid to ‘Go After Your Goals’.
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