Cricket was played by the British officers and later introduced to Indian Royalty. Maharaja Ranjit Singh went on to play for England. Post-Independence it was the maharajas of (Maharaja Bhupinder Singh) PATIALA, BARODA, HOLKAR who invested heavily in developing Indian players and cricket and were instrumental in development of institutions like the Roshanara Club in 1928 which became BCCI and first class cricket in Ranji trophy.
The Indian team did well in the international arena. It inspired the masses. Cricket was associated with national pride.
Football did not get the same patronage as Cricket. It was played by the British Jawans. From there it was picked up by Nagendra Sarbadhikhari and then by schools. Locals clubs like Calcutta FC and Mohan Bagan and tournaments like Durand Cup were established before the dawn of 20th century.
Though Football had some inherent advantages compared to cricket when it came to grassroot popularity.
a. It was cheaper – no need for pads, lunch, tea,
b. It did not require 3 day’s time to complete a game
c. Everyone can participate instead of fielding d. Simpler rules
2. But, the investments in football was poor. For example the Royals were not interested in contact sport.
3. And, the Indian government focussed on Olympics, Asiad. AIFF refused to send the Indian team to 1950 world cup because it would mean players turning professional and thereby being ineligible for Olympics.
4. While 1950s was the golden decade for football in India – 2 Asiad Golds, 4th place in Olympics in which we drew with France – professional football struggled.
5. It was only in 2007 – that we formed the 1st professional league the I-League. Staggering 70 years after Ranji Trophy (1934). Womens league IWL established only in 2016.
Currently also there are some problems with Indian football:
1. Closed Franchise System – thereby not allowing teams to get relegated promoted.
2. Broadcaster Star India is a co-owner – so ISL unable to sell its TV rights > generate broadcast revenue > which forms almost 80% of clubs revenue. Especially important when low match day revenue are low due to cheap tickets and weak merchandising.
3. Confusion about the merger of the I-league
Steps for development of football
ISL viewership is 4th highest. Foreign investments have started to come in. For example – The owners of Man City have invested in Mumbai City FC.
1. School
- Improving facilities, space, physical education teacher training, salaries
- Awareness through Parents Teacher Meeting
- Safe environment for women
- School to University – Once access towards sports at school level is established, local clubs and leagues can be encouraged. The local government and corporates can invest in these leagues. Training facilities in these clubs to ‘catch them young’. Promote football culture at grassroot level.
- These local leagues need to be connected to ISL through a multi tier open – promotion relegation league.
- The leagues must run for 8-9 months instead of 4 months.
- ISL should be allowed to negotiate the TV rights and share is equally with all teams.
- At present, there are only a handful of academies Tata Football Academy – which has produced maximum number of Indian players and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools. More individual sports academies need to be set up across different parts.
- World classes coaches – like Gus Hiddink appointed by Korea
- Adoption of technology
Why football developed in certain pockets:
Football North east – British Soldiers introduced. Manipur Football Club was started by Sh. Phoni Mukherjee – Bengali Settler. Local clubs mushroomed. Calcutta based clubs Scouted in NE.
Goa, Kerala – Portuguese brought football
Preceptor Football 