Image courtesy: X(AIFF/ The khel India)
India should aim to break into the top-50 of the FIFA rankings within the next decade, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized during a meeting with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The discussion, held on Thursday, highlighted India’s football potential, strategic plans for talent development, and the government’s commitment to supporting the sport’s growth in the country.
A Vision for Indian Football
Mandaviya, while addressing the AIFF delegation led by president Kalyan Chaubey, laid out a roadmap for achieving the ambitious goal of entering the FIFA top-50. India’s current FIFA ranking, as of the latest chart released on Thursday, stands at 127, a slight drop from the October rankings.
“India boasts one of the largest pools of young talent globally. The focus should be on grassroots, talent identification, and nurturing them alongside coach development, which will be pivotal for the sport’s growth,” Mandaviya said, according to the AIFF release.
Plans for New Football Academies
A central focus of the meeting was the expansion of football academies in India. Currently, the AIFF-FIFA Academy in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, stands as a model for talent development. However, with India’s vast geographical and population diversity, the AIFF proposed creating four additional regional academies to ensure broader talent scouting and development.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey shared the specifics:
- “One AIFF-FIFA academy in Odisha is not enough. We proposed to have four more regional academies with the same technical support from FIFA.”
- These academies will focus on nurturing young players, particularly in under-13 age categories, to ensure a pipeline of skilled footballers for the future.
Currently, India has 25 fully professional clubs participating in the ISL and I-League, along with 80 AIFF-accredited academies actively working in grassroots football.
Government’s Support and Initiatives
Mandaviya assured AIFF of the government’s backing for football’s development. “The Government is committed to providing comprehensive support for sports development in India. Rapid economic growth and an expanding middle class are reshaping attitudes towards sports. Parents are now encouraging children to balance academics with sports, unlike earlier times,” the minister stated.
Key initiatives discussed included:
- Establishing new training centers.
- Forging partnerships with international football organizations to bring advanced expertise to India.
- Supporting coach development programs to elevate the quality of football training across all levels.
Global Expertise at Work
The meeting also included FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Project Director Ged Roddy, who is currently in India to review the AIFF-FIFA Academy project. The academy, launched in Bhubaneswar after a visit from legendary coach Arsène Wenger (FIFA Chief of Global Football Development), currently trains 32 cadets.
Roddy emphasized the importance of talent development schemes tailored to India’s unique needs and opportunities. His involvement underscores FIFA’s active role in supporting India’s football aspirations.
India’s Football History and Current Challenges
The Indian men’s football team’s best FIFA ranking was 94, achieved in February 1996. Since the rankings began in 1992, India has struggled to consistently remain in the top 100. Comparatively, Asian powerhouses like Japan (15th), Iran (18th), South Korea (23rd), and Australia (26th) have regularly represented the continent at FIFA World Cups.
For India, overcoming the following challenges will be key:
- A lack of infrastructure and training facilities at the grassroots level.
- Limited exposure to high-quality international competition.
- Addressing the drop in FIFA rankings caused by inconsistent performances and a soft schedule.
A Promising Future
The AIFF presented a detailed plan to the Sports Ministry, outlining efforts to bolster the nation’s football ecosystem. This includes:
- Expanding the reach of professional football through regional academies.
- Increasing participation through grassroots programs.
- Strengthening partnerships with FIFA and other international bodies.
Mandaviya’s call for a top-50 target aligns with India’s broader ambitions to excel across various sports, reflecting a changing cultural attitude toward sports as a viable career path. With government backing, FIFA expertise, and a strategic focus on youth development, Indian football is poised to take significant strides in the coming years.
As the world’s most popular sport gains traction in one of its largest untapped markets, the next decade could mark a transformational era for football in India.
