As we are drawing near 11 jun, football fever is catching up. FIFA world cup 2010 is going to start from June 11, first match being between the host country South Africa and Mexico.The match will start from 7.30 pm (IST) and the second game between France and Uruguay will start from 12.00 am (IST) next day. I have started changing my routine as we all have to catch the matches mostly at late night.For me Spain and Argentina are the favourites and I am pinning my hopes on them. In India, what i have noticed is though people are not that much into various leagues played in different countries but they take a lot of interest in the world cup. The football fever catches everyone as it reaches its beginning. Though the condition of football is pathetic and the youth still preferring playing cricket over football, I find it very tough believing that Indian football team can play in the FIFA world cup even in the next 50 years. Its really a shame that, a country of billion people don't have a football team that can compete on an international level.
Football as a sport has tremendous commercial possibilities (Man. United is one the richest sports body) as it is a fast paced sport unlike cricket. But, cricketers still, rake in all the moolah and are worshipped as demi-gods because corporates don't want to jinx their tried and tested formula of instant recognition by roping, even second rung cricketers. Football infrastructure in our country is appalling to say the least, with many states not even having a football association.
It's not that we don't have the resources to promote the game , countries like Brazil, Argentina are no better than us , but the administration there is passionate about the game,& therein lies the difference.
If the govt. & sports ministry wants to see the Indian football team make it to the World cup qualifiers let alone finals and more Bhaichung Bhutias and Vijayans to come up through the ranks they should encourage the sport in the schools at the grass root level, direct some money from the filthy rich cricket boards to the domestic infrastructure of football, so that this time if we make it (eternal optimistic), we don't have to go barefooted. If football is properly marketed and provided the requisite infrastructure, then, I sincerely believe that it can give cricket a run for its money!
I was very impressed by New nike Ad and i believe You should also watch it. It 's tag line is Write the Future. I hope someday a player will come who will write the future of this game in our country.
No comments:
Post a Comment