Indian football has faced a series of disappointing performances in recent years, highlighting a troubling decline in the sport’s fortunes.
The senior national team failed to qualify for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers, a significant setback for a nation which was called the “Brazil of Asia” for its fluid style of play and achievements.
Adding to the woes, both the U-17 and U-20 teams did not qualify for the Asia Cup, despite being placed in relatively easy groups.
The humiliation extended to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) tournaments, where Indian teams across all categories struggled to make a mark.
These recent failures are a result of deeper issues plaguing Indian football. To understand the current state, it is essential to delve into the reasons behind this decline and trace the historical context, starting from the formation of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was established in 1937, during a time when football had gaining popularity in India, largely due to the influence of the British and the British Army, which helped spread the sport across the country.
The Golden Era of Indian Football
The 1950s and 1960s are often regarded as the golden era of Indian football. During this period, India won gold medals at the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962. The most successful head coach for India was Syed Abdul Rahim, who led the team to these victories and also achieved a remarkable fourth place finish at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
World Cup and the missed opportunities
In 1948, India participated in the London Olympics and narrowly lost to France in a close knockout game, with a score of 2-1. Two years later, India was invited to participate in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
This was a significant opportunity, as the tournament featured only 16 teams, and India was the sole representative from Asia.
However, India chose not to participate, citing reasons such as the high travel costs to Brazil, lack of preparation time, and a preference for prioritising the Olympics over the World Cup.
From 1952 to 1982, there were seven World Cups, but the AIFF consistently chose not to send the Indian team to these tournaments. The federation deemed the World Cup less important and instead focused on the Olympics.
During this period, other nations gained valuable experience and exposure by competing in the highly competitive World Cup, while India missed out on these crucial opportunities, leading to a significant loss of its competitive edge.
When the AIFF finally decided to send the Indian team to the World Cup qualifiers in 1986, the landscape of international football had drastically changed.
With 121 countries participating, the competition was fiercer than ever. Unfortunately, India’s players lacked the international experience that other Asian nations had accumulated over the years, making it difficult for them to compete effectively on the global stage.
Post-Rahim Era
After the golden era under Syed Abdul Rahim, revolving door of coaches, with around 40 different individuals taking up the role. This lack of continuity and consistent leadership further contributed to the decline in performance and
development.
Moreover, the AIFF never developed a strategic vision to cultivate national coaches. This is evident from the fact that India currently had only 26 Pro licensed coaches( Over the next 40 years, the national team saw a thanks to 12 coaches who cleared the AFC pro-license Diploma course earlier this week) highlighting a significant gap in coaching expertise and development.
Cricket’s Rise and Football’s Decline: A Tale of Two Sports
The 1983 Cricket World Cup win by India marked a turning point in the nation’s sporting landscape. The victory not only brought immense pride but also catapulted cricket to unprecedented popularity. Cricket’s rise was significantly bolstered by its presence on television, capturing the imagination of millions of viewers.
All commercial and broadcast interests gravitated towards cricket, leaving football in the shadows. Since 1984, the Indian football team failed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the next 27 years, depriving Indian audiences of the chance to see their players compete in major tournaments.
The AIFF’s decision not to send teams to the World Cup further compounded this issue, as Indian football missed out on the exposure and experience that comes with participating in such prestigious
events.
As a result, the AIFF never secured the broadcasting revenues that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enjoyed. This lack of financial inflow hindered the development of infrastructure and facilities for football, which paled in comparison to the state-of-the-art amenities available for cricket.
Consequently, the AIFF had to rely heavily on government support, as well as funds from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA, to sustain its operations.
The Struggles of India’s National League Structure
India’s national league structure has also played a significant role in the decline of football in the country. Until 1996, India did not have a national league, which severely limited the development of the sport.
The introduction of the National Football League (NFL) in 1996 was a step forward, but it had its shortcomings. The league featured only 12 teams and was played over a span of just three months, with no system of promotion or relegation based on performance.
This was in stark contrast to European leagues, which operate for nearly ten months a year, providing players with extensive match experience and maintaining their competitive edge.
The limited duration and lack of competitive structure in the NFL meant that players missed out on the benefits of a longer, more rigorous league season.
The NFL struggled to capture the interest of the public and failed to generate significant traction.
In 2007, the NFL was rebranded as the I-League, introducing a promotion and relegation system to enhance competitiveness.
However, it still faced challenges in gaining widespread popularity.
In 2010, the AIFF partnered with IMG Reliance to attract private investment into Indian football, leading to the creation of the Indian Super League (ISL) on October 21, 2013.
The ISL was launched with the goal of growing football in India and increasing its exposure. The ISL, played over six months with 10 teams, aimed to bring a new level of professionalism and excitement to Indian football. Despite its ambitious goals, the ISL faced its own set of challenges.
Traditional clubs were initially resistant to the new league, leading to a period of tension and adjustment.
Additionally, the ISL’s format, with only 10 teams and 22 matches, limited the amount of competitive play for the players.
While the ISL initially gained traction and brought a fresh wave of enthusiasm to Indian football, its popularity began to wane over time. The league’s short duration and limited number of matches meant that it could not sustain the long-term interest of the audience, and the hoped- for transformation of Indian football remained elusive.
Youth Development and the Lack of a Structured Academy System
One of the critical areas where Indian football has lagged behind is in the development of young players. Unlike many successful footballing nations, India lacks a robust youth league system to nurture and develop young talent.
In countries with strong football traditions, clubs are mandated to invest in youth football, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled players who are groomed from a young age.
In contrast, the Indian Super League (ISL) does not have a similar mandate for its clubs to invest in youth development. This has resulted in a significant gap in the nurturing of young talent. While foreign clubs focus heavily on their youth academies, providing young players with the necessary training, facilities, and competitive matches, Indian football has struggled to establish a comparable system.
AIFF’s Persistent Political Challenges
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has long been mired in political and financial turmoil. In 2022, FIFA imposed a ban on the AIFF due to third party interference, specifically the involvement of the Supreme Court.
This intervention was necessitated by the failure of Praful Patel, who served as AIFF president for 15 years, to conduct timely elections.
More recently, just before the start of the 2024-25 I-League season, several clubs have threatened to boycott the league, citing the AIFF’s unfulfilled promises regarding the broadcast of matches.
Despite these disappointing performances and ongoing issues, the AIFF has not taken moral responsibility, and the current president has yet to resign. This lack of accountability and unwillingness to address the federation’s deep-rooted problems continues to hinder the growth and development of football in India.
The persistent internal conflicts have left many stakeholders disillusioned, further escalating the challenges faced by the sport in the country.
Strategic Overhaul: A Path to Reviving Indian Football
To overcome these challenges, the AIFF must take accountability and address the issues head- on. A significant step in the right direction is the recent restructuring of the national league system. The AIFF has introduced a comprehensive four-tier men’s competition structure to stakeholders, aiming to streamline and enhance the football ecosystem in India.
The new structure includes:
Tier 1: Indian Super League (ISL)
Tier 2: I-League, IL2, and IL3
Tier 3: New Flagship State Leagues (Franchise Model)
Tier 4: Existing State Leagues
The plan involves gradually consolidating the ISL, I League, IL2, and IL3 into two or three
expanded national leagues.
Additionally, the Flagship State Leagues will be piloted in 12 states with high footballing activity, starting with six teams and expanding to ten teams by 2030.
These leagues will conclude by December, leading into an ISL/I-League Qualifier in January.
Furthermore, clubs should prioritise the development of young talent through dedicated youth academies.
By investing in grassroots programs and nurturing young players, clubs can build a strong foundation for the future.
These academies should focus on providing high-quality training, education, and support to young athletes, ensuring they have the skills and opportunities to succeed at higher levels. Additionally, there should be a change in leadership within the AIFF. Bringing in new individuals with fresh ideas and perspectives can help drive innovation and positive change.
As fans, we always want to see Indian football succeed and reach its full potential. The journey ahead is challenging, but with the right reforms and a collective effort from all stakeholders, Indian football can rise to new heights.
