London, Sep 12 (IANS) The Indian football team had a dismal showing in their tour of England,
losing three of the four matches it played against mediocre English club sides.
The annual tour of England has become part of a new strategy to give Indian footballers international exposure. This was
the second season for Indian footballers in England.
The performance was poor after last year when the Indian players managed to hold West Bromwich in Birmingham to a
goalless draw. Star forward Baichung Bhutia brought the large Indian crowds to their feet with a header that almost won the
game.
This year the sole triumph was a brilliant field goal scored by captain I.M. Vijayan against Leyton Orient, a third
division team in a hierarchy where the Premier League gets the top teams followed by the first division and the second
division. The game was drawn 1-1.
It was otherwise a dismal story. India conceded three goals in seven minutes in the first match with second division
Brentford to lose 0-3. India lost the second game to Nottingham Forest (first division) 0-2 and the third to Walsall (first
division) 0-2.
"This year the Indian fans kept away from the matches," said Purohit.
"The Indian team definitely needs a fresh and more professional approach," Raj Purohit, who promoted the Indian football
team's tour of England, told IANS.
"It became clear during the tour that the training and coaching being given to Indian players is not of world standard,"
said Purohit. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has agreed to enhance the standard of coaching to international
levels, he added.
The AIFF is reportedly seeking the assistance of FIFA, the world body, to help Indian football attain global standards.
"But in the short run, we hope the Indian boys will be given world class training in the run-up to the Afro-Asian games"
in New Delhi, said Purohit.
In addition to promoting matches, Purohit is also planning training camps abroad for Indian players. "We are working on
a plan to give Indian players training camps outside India. We are holding discussions with clubs in a couple of countries
in Europe."
Attendance at the matches ranged from 2,000 to 5,000. Most spectators were white fans of the local football clubs. Poor
Indian attendance is leading to a loss of sponsors, said Purohit. "Sponsors like to be associated with success."
"But still this kind of exposure is good for Indian footballers and in the long run it will be possible for our players
to do well."
"It can't all be done in a day," said Purohit. "But the AIFF is now taking a very professional approach to the game."
by Sanjay Suri
appeared in Indo-Asian News Service on September 13, 2001