Friday, Mar 29, 2024 | Last Update : 07:51 AM IST

  Baichung Bhutia: Increase home players to six

Baichung Bhutia: Increase home players to six

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Apr 27, 2016, 11:09 pm IST
Updated : Apr 27, 2016, 11:09 pm IST

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia says that the Football Players Association of India has asked the organisers to increase home players to six from the current five in the starting XI of the Indian

Baichung Bhutia (centre)
 Baichung Bhutia (centre)

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia says that the Football Players Association of India has asked the organisers to increase home players to six from the current five in the starting XI of the Indian Super League.

The former FPAI president, speaking at the FPAI’s annual awards function in Mumbai, also said that the association wanted the ISL to increase the teams from the present eight by “one or two teams”.

“We want to work with the ISL and the I-League. We want more and more teams to join the I-League and ISL. With this, the two competitions will get stronger. We need more teams so that more players get chances,” he said.

“We have requested for six Indians in the ISL (against the current norm of five) in the starting XI,” said the former Sikkimese striker, with several current footballers, including overseas ones of the I-League in attendance at the awards ceremony.

FPAI’s vice-president and former India player Abhishek Yadav said the association was striving hard for the betterment of players, that included providing them an easier pathway to earn the coaches’ norms and medical insurance.

“We have also decided to start a rehabilitation centre to counsel the footballers who get injured and are frustrated that they are unable to play. We are trying our best but there’s always scope for improvement,” he said.

“We will help footballers who want to start coaching camps in their home towns. We do a lot of work but we also have our own set of problems. We are trying to improve every year,” he added.

Bengaluru FC’s English coach Ashley Westwood, who was announced as the winner of the best coaches’ award at the function, said he has seen a lot of interest in football in India over the last three years.

“I have seen many improvements. It’s not only cricket now. Professional football is rising. That will help Indian football,” he said.