Where has the spark gone?

It's unbelievable that India has had a rich history in global football. The killer instinct, the charisma, the pumping adrenaline and the spark that were bubbling with curiosity in the Indian legs have disappeared for quite some time now. The golden names like Dr. Talimeren Ao, Sailendra Nath (aka. Sailen) Manna, Neville D'souza, PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and Syed Nayeemuddin were the pillars of the Indian football team. Today these names have become the legends of Indian football, but what about the pillars of the current side?

India has always been partially successful in creating good players on the international arena. However, the team performance overall has never been consistent. "Name is Game": this old saying has been sounding quite often around the corner. But for Indian football it's more like "Game is Name". For a long time big names have been locking horns with the biggies. Baichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri, Shanmugam Venkatesh and Mahesh Gawli to name a few. They have all put their heart and soul together to triumph at the global scene and also have been booked into Indian Football Hall Of Fame but India has still failed to materialize at the international arena. As you know an individual can never win a team game. Till date few ultimate records keep lingering over the boards be it Neville D'Souza's hat trick in the Olympics or the then fastest goal by IM Vijayan scoring in 12 seconds. Finishing 4th in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Gold medals in 1951 and 1962 Asian Games have been some magnificent feats of Indian football. This shows that the Indian legs are capable and ever ready raring to go to foreign soils to showcase their talent. Then where is the problem lying?

Indian football is in dire straits today. Problems are aplenty. The consistent downfall in the world FIFA rankings, failure in organizing big events like the Millennium Cup, weaker knees of the players and the self interests' battles among various clubs are the few reasons. Where football rocks in Calcutta and Goa with full public support, the same is not preferred in many states. Baichung Bhutia has almost hanged his boots. Manjit Singh is being tipped by many as the future of Indian football but again we need a future team which can bring back the lost glory of Indian football and not just names. Its time for all players to pump in adrenaline and stay focused. India has always lacked support when it comes to football. The team has just to be strengthened first and then the bench. Zee Sports has come forward to broadcast the National Football League. But unless and until the standard of the NFL is further improved, one can't expect to rake in profits through broadcasting too. Grounds need to be well maintained. Good advertising and marketing on a larger scale should be carried out to make the citizens recognize about this global sport.

Today, qualifying in a premier tournament finals remains a dream to be cherished for India. Conceding goals in the last minute, injury to key players and controversial decisions have all been taunting the team every now and then. Proper promotion of the sport, proper infrastructure with modern amenities, adequate health and fitness facilities, modern technical training and coaching methods are the long term solutions which have been suggested but where is the implementation. If one is implemented, second is in process and rest compensated. So how will the spark be regained? Now is the right time to sort out these problems with a positive frame of mind, with long run thinking and be patient which we have always been. It's all up to the Indians. Clubs should stop battling for their personal profits but should unite and come together for a common cause. It's quintessential that the talents of Indian football be recognized, they should be supported mentally if not financially and last but not the least the sport should be promoted as a whole for a right and bright cause with a global perspective.
I hope the media, the corporate world and the BCCI are listening.