COMMENTS NO: YEAR/2017/1170

“FIFA: 'To make the game of football very popular in Asian nations, 
India is the gateway. Though Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia 
have done the marketing to popularize football in Asia, but, 
it is not enough. The real problem in India is the callous attitude of the 
Sports Ministry towards the overall development of infrastructure in 
Indian football from root level itself. Sports Ministry is too much 
concerned about Cricket only, it seems. The game of football 
has the potential to earn more revenues than the revenues earned 
from the game of Cricket in India. Try to save the old traditional 
football clubs of India from becoming bankrupt, because the 
love and sentiment towards those clubs by the football fans is 
ultimately going to attract more and more 
spectators in the football stadiums.' 

AIFF: 'Yes, we are trying our level best. We are hopeful that at least 
for once, Indian football team will qualify for the World Cup Football.' 

FIFA: 'Don't just try; make it happen. There is no proper planning at all. 
The Hit and Trial method to experiment with Indian Football must stop. 
Popularize football at junior levels in Schools by conducting 
various tournaments. Select the top players of that tournament to 
train and develop them further in the Government sponsored 
football academy. There are lots of talented footballers in India, 
but due to lack of proper guidance, training and infrastructure; 
they are unable to compete well in International level. Maybe, 
it will be a good idea to allow only 2 foreign players in a 11 sided squad 
in any football tournament to give more space and liberty to the 
domestic players to show their skills.'”- Arindam Sain