The great Indian football dream: Developing a strategic framework for the growth of the game in the country

Abstract

One question that has always intrigued quite a few over the last decade has been “How can a country with more than a billion people figure so poorly among the football world scenario?” To ever have the slightest chance of regaining the glory that it was once bestowed with, Indian authorities need not look beyond two basic necessity– sustainable youth development programmes and quality football clubs. This entails that grassroots development and youth football development programs are structured and sustainable in order for well-rounded, welldeveloped players to graduate from it for many years to come. This study is set out to ascertain the extent to which business management principles are applied in the management of football, as well as to explore the availability and applicability of policies and programmes provided by the government and the national federation. The study highlighted the fact that while this document, and other policies regulating and supporting sport and sport development nationally are available, there was a general lack of knowledge of these tools made available by the Football Federation in India. The National Federation, AIFF, devotes little effort to football development programmes and while strides are being made in this regard, the increments of success are very small and potential benefits do not materialise. One further aspect concluded from the study was the lack of a clear understanding of what sport development, and football in particular, encompasses, and thus what a development programme should include. Current football programmes were found to be lacking with regard to the holistic development of players, as well as coaches, administrators and officials, in areas that extend beyond the tactical and technical aspects of football. Well-structured and stable sport organisations are required to drive sport programmes in the direction that increases the likelihood of producing high calibre players.This will be the end product and will capitalise on the growing economy in the country. This will be one way in which India will fully realise the potential benefits of developing this game. The World Football Governing Body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) emphasises the need for football associations to have proper communication and good media relations and provides practical examples of marketing and event organisation (FIFA, 2007). It provides detailed explanations on how best to structure associations in terms of methods of planning and financial control. This supports football development efforts from within India on a global scale. With the support from the world football governing body and the national sports governing body to pursue development goals, the tools are at the disposal of national football structures to be used, to ensure an increased chance at successful and sustainable programmes. Hopefully, we will see India at the World Cup sooner rather than later.