Football has always held a special place in Indian sports despite cricket’s dominance. It has a strong connection with the youth across the country, from the northeast to the south. However, the sport has faced its fair share of challenges and is striving to maintain its popularity in India. Unfortunately, Cricket’s dominance has cast a shadow over this beautiful sport. It seems like football has lost its significance in the hearts of Indians, relegated to being just a game to be observed from the sidelines. In this exploration, we will delve into the illustrious history of Indian football, examine why this sport lost its appeal, and contemplate what the future has in store.
Exploring the Origins of Football in India
We can trace the roots of Indian football to the colonial period when the elite Indian class openly accepted the game. Gradually, football became popular among most Indians, and everyone started playing it. It took a more professional approach when various football clubs were established in India. The credit goes to Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari, also called the Father of Indian football, who opened the first football organization, Wellington Club, in 1884. Soon after, we witnessed various football clubs like Mohun Bagan, Sovabazar, and the Aryan Club surfaced in India, especially in Calcutta.
Soon after this, football took root in the hearts of locals, and people across the north and other parts started playing the sport with great passion. With the growing domestic tournaments in the country, football became a popular sport, and the highlight of this journey was the victory of Mohun Bagan Club, defeating East Yorkshire by 2-1 in the prestigious IFA Shield tournament. This was a significant moment in Indian football history, marking its emergence on the global stage. British India started touring multiple countries like Australia, Japan, and Malaysia, showcasing their improved football skills. The global football arena took notice of India and offered a chance to play in the 1948 London Olympics. This was India’s first major international tournament, a testament to the talent and dedication of Indian football players.
The game-changing moment in Indian football history came in 1950 when India qualified for the Fifa World Cup in Brazil. The stakes were high as this was the best Indian football team ever played globally. It was one of the golden opportunities for India to showcase their rich football skills to the world. However, despite having the opportunity to shine on the global stage, India declined the offer to play in the World Cup. Slowly, India slipped down in the rankings and could never bounce back in the football world. But why did India reject the offer to play at the Fifa World Cup, and what happened after that which never led India to rise in the International football arena?
Important Factors that led to the decline of Indian football
Many theories were speculated around that time when India declined the offer to play at the FIFA World Cup. One such theory was the financial burden on newly independent India; the cost of traveling across the globe with other essential things was taking a heavy toll at that time. But, experts say that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was a keen sports ambassador then. He admired and wanted India to represent in different sporting events. So, if money was not the issue, then the other central theory that came up was the Indian Football Federation and its clash with the International Football Committee.
The primary demand of our football authority was that Indian players should be allowed to play barefoot. However, FIFA did not allow any nation or its players to play barefoot. Some experts say that even players who were uncomfortable playing with shoes decided to skip the World Cup. Even in the 1954 World Cup, the invitation was extended to participate in the world’s biggest carnival, but the Indian authorities returned the invitation.
Another theory is that India should have valued the FIFA World Cup, as the Olympics were the hotspot then. Players believed that the FIFA World Cup was not a big deal then, but that thrashed us back severely in the future. Apart from that, there were other speculations, too, like players were not accustomed to playing 90 minutes, and the last factor that contributed to the downfall of Indian football was the regional conflict between players.
India was newly independent, and due to high sentiments in the population, players lacked coordination with each other. Lack of practice and clashes of ego led to the team’s downfall in every circumstance.
But these speculations and theories have been rigged off by many; the legendary coach of that time, S. A Rahim, who took India to new heights in football, had his different side on why India never took part in the World Cup. Fast forward to now, India is playing World Cup qualifiers and has yet to be able to qualify for the World Cup. The aura of football slowly declined and never returned like it should be. Lack of Infrastructure, internal politics, and no proper opportunities for players led India down, which could have been the golden chance to shine on the world stage.
What the future holds for Indian football in the Global Arena
Although India has not yet qualified for the World Cup, it has experienced moments of glory in football, winning the gold in the Asian Games in 1951 and delivering an outstanding performance at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, where they defeated the hosts 4-2, causing a shock around the world. However, today, India is not considered a force in Asian football. The quality of football has hit rock bottom, and the team has been playing pre-qualifiers for the last three decades. The future of Indian football may seem challenging, but it is not without possibilities. There is an urgent need to change India’s football culture and revitalize it so that this rich sport can reclaim its place in the global football arena. The potential for revival is there, waiting to be harnessed.
