Super or blooper?
By: Vivek Ajinkya
As Indian football forays into uncharted waters with the Indian Super League, Mirror analyses its effects on the ‘beautiful game’.
It has been four years since the idea of holding an IPL-style league to revolutionise Indian football was conceived. Limitless contemplation, scores of rumours and two postponements later, that idea finally seems to achieving realisation in the shape of the AIFF backed Indian Super League (ISL).
In these four years, the organisers, IMG-Reliance, formed a pool of Indian players, handed over franchisees, got foreign names and celebrities involved, but there was always an ounce of doubt - whether this will happen for real. Indian football lovers can’t be blamed for this pessimism, they have not had a lot to cheer for. But with yesterday’s player draft, the reality of the situation finally kicked in. Come September, it will happen for real.
But will the ISL herald a new era for Indian football or will it suffer the same fate as the I-league? Either way, it is bound to impact of Indian football. Whether that impact is positive or negative, only time will tell.
THE PROS
Will popularise football in India
It’s a known fact, that Indians love their celebrities. The ISL has done just that by roping in the stars - John Abraham (North East United FC), Salman Khan (Team Pune), Ranbir Kapoor (Team Mumbai), Sachin Tendulkar (Kerala Blasters FC) and Sourav Ganguly (Atletico de Kolkata) - to promote the various city-based franchisees. Former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia is keeping his fingers crossed, hoping the ISL can be a game-changer for Indian football. “It can radically popularise the sport,” claimed Bhutia, who was helping Delhi Dynamos’ during the draft.
Obligation to set up academies and invest in grassroots
2014 World Cup winners Germany, 2010 world champions Spain and 2010 runners-up Holland are the best examples of nations who have excelled at the world stage after investing at grassroots level.
“Franchisees have an obligation to invest in grassroots and set up academies within three years,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. If implemented, this definitely will be ISL’s biggest boon. Because of the ISL, there will be at least eight youth academies and a lot of money invested for young talent.
This clause might come in very handy, especially with India set to host the U-17 World Cup in 2017.
Foreign tie-ups and talent
Three of the eight franchisees have tied up with European clubs – Atletico de Kolkata with Atletico Madrid (Spain), Team Pune with Fiorentina (Italy) and Delhi Dynamos with Feyenoord (Holland) – and Team Goa have been eyeing a partnership with EPL champions Manchester City for the past few months. This will ensure a highly professional international-level league.
Opportunities for young players
The draft of 91 Indian players (including the reserve pool of seven players) consists of 43 players of the age of 25 or below. These youngsters stand to gain the most playing alongside experienced former stars from abroad. Goalkeeper Subrata Paul is hoping to see Indians ply their trade in the European big leagues soon. “Indian players have the potential to play abroad. I hope after ISL many Indians end up playing for European clubs. It will be helpful for the national team too,” said Paul, who spent the last season at Vestsjaelland. “It’s a great platform for the young generation. Kids will start playing football after watching ISL,” added defender Syed Rahim Nabi, who with Paul was drafted in by Mumbai.
THE CONS
Clashes with the national team’s preparations
“That is the problem we face with the Indian football calendar. But we have to manage with the time we have. Sometimes, it’s not possible (to accommodate everything),” said Das, when asked about ISL’s schedule clashing with the Asian Games (Sept 19 - Oct 4).
The AIFF has given the ISL a twomonth window between September and November and national coach Wim Koevermans has been openly vocal about how the ISL might ‘affect the national team’s preparations’, especially, with some of the drafted players being selected by Koevermans for the Incheon Games.
Affects I-League clubs
After a long-fought battle with the ISL, most I-League clubs refrained from loaning their players to the league. Most I-League players will thus miss out on the tournament. On the flipside, clubs like Dempo and Shillong, who are supporting the tournament, will have to be without their the ISL players for two months, affecting their I-League preparations.
Might kill the national league altogether
The I-league has been facing difficulties in getting sponsorships and is facing a lot of flak over the quality of football and tournament respectively. India’s national league, the biggest livelihood for footballers from all over the country, will have to step up now or face the risk of getting lost in the shadows of the ISL. “I-League is the main tournament. I hope I-league will get similar support,” said Bhutia.
PLAYING THE WAITING GAME
“I’m not going to say that it will change Indian football and that India will qualify for the World Cup. But the ISL will have a positive impact. Since its announcement it has created such a buzz. I-League lacks such excitement. “Indian football needs stars. For the last 15 years, I-league has not been able to create stars. We have a lot of good talent. We need at least 15-20 stars who become household names,” added Bhutia.
BUILDING BLOCKS
Team picks during yesterday’s draft...
Pune: Lenny Rodrigues, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Ashutosh Mehta, Joaquim Abranches, Pritam Kotal, Manish Maithani, Israil Gurung.
Mumbai: Subrata Paul, Lalrindika Ralte, Syed Rahim Nabi, Raju Gaikwad, Subash Singh, Ram Malik, Deepak Mondal.
Kerela Blasters FC: Mehtab Hussain, Sandesh Jhingan, Ishfaq Ahmed, Gurwinder Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Sushant Matthew, Godwin Franco.
Bengaluru: Harmanjot Khabra, Dhanachandra Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Gouramangi Singh, Shilton Paul, Denson Devadas, Khelemba Meitei.
Atletico De Kolkata: Cavin Lobo, Arnab Mondal, Denzil Franco, Rakesh Masih, Mohammed Rafique, Mohammed Rafi, Biswajit Saha.
Delhi Dynamos FC: Francis Fernandes, Robert Lalthamuana, Naoba Singh, Shylo Malswamtluanga, Shouvik Ghosh, Shouvik Chakraborty, Munmun Lugun.
Goa: Laxmikant Kattimani, Debabrata Roy, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Alwyn George, Narayan Das.
North East United FC: Kunzang Bhutia, Jibon Singh, Durga Boro, Aibor Khongjee, Zodingliana Ralte, TP Rehnesh, Boithang Haokip.
As Indian football forays into uncharted waters with the Indian Super League, Mirror analyses its effects on the ‘beautiful game’.
It has been four years since the idea of holding an IPL-style league to revolutionise Indian football was conceived. Limitless contemplation, scores of rumours and two postponements later, that idea finally seems to achieving realisation in the shape of the AIFF backed Indian Super League (ISL).
Ever since its conception, despite all its promises, the ISL has not been received whole-heartedly. Yes, there are ample expectations, but also an unshakeable air of paranoia.
In these four years, the organisers, IMG-Reliance, formed a pool of Indian players, handed over franchisees, got foreign names and celebrities involved, but there was always an ounce of doubt - whether this will happen for real. Indian football lovers can’t be blamed for this pessimism, they have not had a lot to cheer for. But with yesterday’s player draft, the reality of the situation finally kicked in. Come September, it will happen for real.
But will the ISL herald a new era for Indian football or will it suffer the same fate as the I-league? Either way, it is bound to impact of Indian football. Whether that impact is positive or negative, only time will tell.
THE PROS
Will popularise football in India
It’s a known fact, that Indians love their celebrities. The ISL has done just that by roping in the stars - John Abraham (North East United FC), Salman Khan (Team Pune), Ranbir Kapoor (Team Mumbai), Sachin Tendulkar (Kerala Blasters FC) and Sourav Ganguly (Atletico de Kolkata) - to promote the various city-based franchisees. Former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia is keeping his fingers crossed, hoping the ISL can be a game-changer for Indian football. “It can radically popularise the sport,” claimed Bhutia, who was helping Delhi Dynamos’ during the draft.
Obligation to set up academies and invest in grassroots
2014 World Cup winners Germany, 2010 world champions Spain and 2010 runners-up Holland are the best examples of nations who have excelled at the world stage after investing at grassroots level.
“Franchisees have an obligation to invest in grassroots and set up academies within three years,” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. If implemented, this definitely will be ISL’s biggest boon. Because of the ISL, there will be at least eight youth academies and a lot of money invested for young talent.
This clause might come in very handy, especially with India set to host the U-17 World Cup in 2017.
Foreign tie-ups and talent
Three of the eight franchisees have tied up with European clubs – Atletico de Kolkata with Atletico Madrid (Spain), Team Pune with Fiorentina (Italy) and Delhi Dynamos with Feyenoord (Holland) – and Team Goa have been eyeing a partnership with EPL champions Manchester City for the past few months. This will ensure a highly professional international-level league.
Opportunities for young players
The draft of 91 Indian players (including the reserve pool of seven players) consists of 43 players of the age of 25 or below. These youngsters stand to gain the most playing alongside experienced former stars from abroad. Goalkeeper Subrata Paul is hoping to see Indians ply their trade in the European big leagues soon. “Indian players have the potential to play abroad. I hope after ISL many Indians end up playing for European clubs. It will be helpful for the national team too,” said Paul, who spent the last season at Vestsjaelland. “It’s a great platform for the young generation. Kids will start playing football after watching ISL,” added defender Syed Rahim Nabi, who with Paul was drafted in by Mumbai.
THE CONS
Clashes with the national team’s preparations
“That is the problem we face with the Indian football calendar. But we have to manage with the time we have. Sometimes, it’s not possible (to accommodate everything),” said Das, when asked about ISL’s schedule clashing with the Asian Games (Sept 19 - Oct 4).
The AIFF has given the ISL a twomonth window between September and November and national coach Wim Koevermans has been openly vocal about how the ISL might ‘affect the national team’s preparations’, especially, with some of the drafted players being selected by Koevermans for the Incheon Games.
Affects I-League clubs
After a long-fought battle with the ISL, most I-League clubs refrained from loaning their players to the league. Most I-League players will thus miss out on the tournament. On the flipside, clubs like Dempo and Shillong, who are supporting the tournament, will have to be without their the ISL players for two months, affecting their I-League preparations.
Might kill the national league altogether
The I-league has been facing difficulties in getting sponsorships and is facing a lot of flak over the quality of football and tournament respectively. India’s national league, the biggest livelihood for footballers from all over the country, will have to step up now or face the risk of getting lost in the shadows of the ISL. “I-League is the main tournament. I hope I-league will get similar support,” said Bhutia.
PLAYING THE WAITING GAME
“I’m not going to say that it will change Indian football and that India will qualify for the World Cup. But the ISL will have a positive impact. Since its announcement it has created such a buzz. I-League lacks such excitement. “Indian football needs stars. For the last 15 years, I-league has not been able to create stars. We have a lot of good talent. We need at least 15-20 stars who become household names,” added Bhutia.
BUILDING BLOCKS
Team picks during yesterday’s draft...
Pune: Lenny Rodrigues, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Ashutosh Mehta, Joaquim Abranches, Pritam Kotal, Manish Maithani, Israil Gurung.
Mumbai: Subrata Paul, Lalrindika Ralte, Syed Rahim Nabi, Raju Gaikwad, Subash Singh, Ram Malik, Deepak Mondal.
Kerela Blasters FC: Mehtab Hussain, Sandesh Jhingan, Ishfaq Ahmed, Gurwinder Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Sushant Matthew, Godwin Franco.
Bengaluru: Harmanjot Khabra, Dhanachandra Singh, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Gouramangi Singh, Shilton Paul, Denson Devadas, Khelemba Meitei.
Atletico De Kolkata: Cavin Lobo, Arnab Mondal, Denzil Franco, Rakesh Masih, Mohammed Rafique, Mohammed Rafi, Biswajit Saha.
Delhi Dynamos FC: Francis Fernandes, Robert Lalthamuana, Naoba Singh, Shylo Malswamtluanga, Shouvik Ghosh, Shouvik Chakraborty, Munmun Lugun.
Goa: Laxmikant Kattimani, Debabrata Roy, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Alwyn George, Narayan Das.
North East United FC: Kunzang Bhutia, Jibon Singh, Durga Boro, Aibor Khongjee, Zodingliana Ralte, TP Rehnesh, Boithang Haokip.
