The Indian national football team ranks a rather abysmal 109th in the world. It has always been a matter of befuddlement that a country that loves football is so consistently bad at football. Why is it that a billion-plus people fail to produce players good enough for international football? A recent video of Indian boys playing football went viral and had people wondering why this is so.
Originally shared on the Asian Football Confederation Twitter handle, this one went viral when it was shared by Norwegian diplomat Erik Solheim. He asked, why is India not winning the world cup in football?
The speed and tenacity of the guy in the video is impressive to say the least.
As this tweet points out, corruption and nepotism impede sporting success in India. There is also the fact that Indian parents believe that kids should concentrate on studies to the exclusion of all else; preventing the detection and nurturing of sporting talent.
This tweet asks why talented Indians manage to shine in various spheres when they go abroad, but cannot seem to enjoy the same level of success at home.
One reason why talent is often not recognised or fostered is that one needs either a godfather (or a biological father) in the system to succeed at anything in India.
People in positions of authority in sporting organisations tend not to have any experience or expertise in sports. Rather they tend to be political or bureaucratic appointees. As in the case of Jay Shah, the current BCCI secretary points out this tweet.
The rigid social and economic hierarchies of our country work to concentrate power and wealth in the hands of a few. This thwarts any attempt by marginalised people to achieve success.
While affirmative action and various government programs have tried to eradicate the curse of caste from society, caste divisions and fault lines remain entrenched. People still favour people of their own caste; wealth, authority and power continue to rest disproportionately in the hands of upper castes in our country.
There is little or no opportunity for people in remote or poor areas to become involved in sport. The sports facilities that do exist tend to be few, rudimentary and remote and quality coaching remains elusive.
India's obsession with cricket means that huge resources and big sponsorships are devoted only to this one game. Other games are given a step motherly treatment and languish without the funds, resources and attention they need.
Some replies also pointed to the fact that Indian Super League, India’s football league is now bringing about change. It is giving opportunities to talented players and is also popularising the sport in India. Who knows, that amazing goalkeeper in the viral football video may be picked up by a league talent hunt?
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