I always felt the way forward for Football in India is grass-root and youth development as well as reviving of the smaller clubs and old tournaments to make it a viable model for all clubs to take football seriously. My feelings do not matter but still sharing of thoughts is always good.

History of football across the globe has indicated to us the big clubs will always be there but their would smaller clubs as well who will co-exist to make a vibrant football model and a place for the younger talents to showcase their talents before making the bigger leap that has been the norm since time immemorial. Be it English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Brazilian or Argentine football, for every Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Santos, Boca Juniors, PSG there has been Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Athletico Madrid, Lyon, Borussia Dortmund, Leicester City, Everton, Independiente, Rosario, Bahia, Coritiba and others.

The basis of a viable football structure is based on this. The more the competition the better it is for Indian football and its quality. The powers that be in Indian football should really consider this and put in their best efforts to revive these clubs and the tournaments to build a balance in football.

Bengal when at the height of their power were not only MB, EB or MDS but were also Aryans, Tollygunge, Kalighat MS, Rajasthan, Aryans, Bata, etc. That was the golden period of Bengal football as they had a thriving league structure with lots of other tournaments for the clubs to play. Same was with Goa and Kerala namely, Franca, SBT, Titanium, Kerala Police later on FC Kochi etc as well as the same with Maharastra, Karnataka and erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.

A leaf should be taken from the north-east clubs who are not financially that strong but still have managed to build a strong league structure with lots of teams. State based leagues cannot be ignored at all as well as tournaments like Rovers Cup, Kalinga Cup, Trades Cup, Sait Nagjee, Sikkim Gold Cup etc should be restored back to their past glory.

AIFF should give the onus on the state bodies and a deadline to revive these tournaments with some modern day upheavels which will suit the current scenario and preferences of the youth. Lots of professional helps are available to help the governing bodies in every state. The bodies for once should not only think about manipulation and self-effacing tactics and look into the betterment of the game which will in turn enhance their situation and strengthen their position. Young bloods are the need of the hour in every state association and clubs and should be inducted in a transparent and positive mannerand the power that is should be open to new thoughts and ideas.

I believe no one can do things or change mentalities alone and it is an all inclusive process, the fans are the most important stake-holdrs in every sports and they should be inclusive of all measures taken which in turn will make it a wholesome effort with innovative marketing, better quality, better standard of the game as well as better experience for the fans. Only blaming a few will not help the scenario to change in our country in regards to sports in general and football in particular.

The revenue structures can be modified as per the fan demography of each tournament as well as with innovative methods and measures the expenses will not be huge instead the revenue can take a very attractive proportion.

Moreover, with these measures the quality and standard of match officiating can also improve considerably considering more match exposure for the match officials leading to a better ancillory career prospect for a lot of individuals with a sustained model and growth.

The added benefit would be through this all inclusive model sponsors will be attracted more to a stable and viable structure with expectation of return on investment increasing considerably thus leading to investors investing in tournaments, clubs, academies and youth development structure thus leading to a brighter future for India in football. Lots of marketing measures can be taken to make it every project attractive and viable commercially without compromising on the quality.

I know all these does not make a lot of difference but being a fan of the Beautiful Game I feel it is my responsibility to share my thoughts with everyone hoping things may look up soon. I also know a lot of us think on the same lines but still just wanted to share something I feel strongly about. I think being a hopeless football romantic leads to these syndrom. I always felt the way forward for Football in India is grass-root and youth development as well as reviving of the smaller clubs and old tournaments to make it a viable model for all clubs to take football seriously. My feelings do not matter but still sharing of thoughts is always good.

History of football across the globe has indicated to us the big clubs will always be there but their would smaller clubs as well who will co-exist to make a vibrant football model and a place for the younger talents to showcase their talents before making the bigger leap that has been the norm since time immemorial. Be it English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Brazilian or Argentine football, for every Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Santos, Boca Juniors, PSG there has been Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Athletico Madrid, Lyon, Borussia Dortmund, Leicester City, Everton, Independiente, Rosario, Bahia, Coritiba and others.

The basis of a viable football structure is based on this. The more the competition the better it is for Indian football and its quality. The powers that be in Indian football should really consider this and put in their best efforts to revive these clubs and the tournaments to build a balance in football.

Bengal when at the height of their power were not only Mohun Bagan, East Bengal or Mohameddan Sporting but were also Aryans, Tollygunge, Kalighat MS, Rajasthan, Eastern Rail, BNR, Bata, United SC (erstwhile Eveready or Prayag United) etc. That was the golden period of Bengal football as they had a thriving league structure with lots of other tournaments for the clubs to play. Same was with Goa and Kerala namely, Franca, SBT, Titanium, Kerala Police later on FC Kochi etc as well as the same with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.

A leaf should be taken from the north-east clubs who are not financially that strong but still have managed to build a strong league structure with lots of teams. State based leagues cannot be ignored at

all as well as tournaments like Rovers Cup, Kalinga Cup, Trades Cup, Sait Nagjee, Sikkim Gold Cup etc should be restored back to their past glory.

AIFF should give the onus on the state bodies and private sports management firms and a deadline to revive these tournaments with some modern day upheavals which will suit the current scenario and preferences of the youth. Lots of professional helps are available to help the governing bodies in every state. The bodies for once should not only think about manipulation and self-effacing tactics and look into the betterment of the game which will in turn enhance their situation and strengthen their position. Young bloods are the need of the hour in every state association and clubs and should be inducted in a transparent and positive manner and the power that is should be open to new thoughts and ideas.

I believe no one can do things or change mentalities alone and it is an all inclusive process, the fans are the most important stake-holders in every sports and they should be inclusive of all measures taken which in turn will make it a wholesome effort with innovative marketing, better quality, better standard of the game as well as better experience for the fans. Only blaming a few will not help the scenario to change in our country in regards to sports in general and football in particular.

The revenue structures can be modified as per the fan demography of each tournament as well as with innovative methods and measures the expenses will not be huge instead the revenue can take a very attractive proportion.

Moreover, with these measures the quality and standard of match officiating can also improve considerably considering more match exposure for the match officials leading to a better career prospect for a lot of individuals with a sustained model and growth.

The added benefit would be through this all inclusive model sponsors will be attracted more to a stable and viable structure with expectation of return on investment increasing considerably thus leading to investors investing in tournaments, clubs, academies and youth development structure thus leading to a brighter future for India in football. Lots of marketing measures can be taken to make it every project attractive and viable commercially without compromising on the quality.

I know all these does not make a lot of difference but being a fan of the Beautiful Game I feel it is my responsibility to share my thoughts with everyone hoping things may look up soon. I also know a lot of us think on the same lines but still just wanted to share something I feel strongly about. I think being a hopeless football romantic leads to these syndrome.