Sport - Football

Lack of passion a major hurdle

NEW DELHI: Lack of passion was the major factor for India languishing in the bottom half of international football, according to most speakers at a seminar organized to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Hindustan Football Club here.

Former international referee S. S. Hakim and ace defender of yesteryear Manoranjan Bhattacharya were the key men on the dais.

Former international Rajender Mohan also made some interesting observations at a well-attended gathering.

Mr. Hakim lamented the decline in football at the grass root level and blamed the system on the society. “Little has been done at any level for the betterment of the game. We played in an era when there was no sponsorship,” he said.

Even as some members of the audience laid emphasis on lack of financial support for football in the country, Mr. Hakim insisted, “It can’t be just about sponsorship. In my days, institutions provided support in the shape of jobs. That was the sponsorship and motivation for us to take to football.

“The security for us came from the jobs that institutions like police and Railways provided. It is not the same anymore.”

Mr. Hakim noted that the popularity of football was a misleading aspect. “It is popular among the public school students but then they watch foreign football.

Otherwise there has been a steady decline in the number of youngsters coming to whatever little camps and academies that we have been organising.

“There are no playing fields and above all there is no passion to play football. You can’t play football if you don’t have the passion for it.”

Bhattacharya, who was known for his tough presence in the East Bengal defence, felt the financial attractions have to be there.

“In my time money was less but the competition was greater. Today not many youngsters are coming to play football even though there is decent money to be made from the game as a professional,” said Bhattacharya.

The seminar, moderated by noted football commentator Novy Kapadia and put together by former Delhi player and Hindustan Club secretary Dilip Kumar Bose, ended on a note of optimism when Sukhwinder Singh, representing the All India Football Federation, informed that better marketing would do wonders to the game. “We have plans in place and lot of work is being done by the AIFF at the junior level,” he said.

Veteran football scribe Kewal Kaushik was also honoured at the seminar for his service to football.

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