NEW DELHI: As far as football authorities are concerned, it’s the names in the games that are certain to drive the growth of the game in India.
Jerome Valcke, secretary-general of the football’s international governing body, says marquee players like Luis Garcia, Alessandro Del Piero and Robert Pires in the Indian Super League will help unlock the “huge potential” on the sub-continent.
“It’s important because these stars are who kids everywhere are dreaming about,” Valcke was quoted as saying by the ISL. But he also stressed that it was just as important for fans to see Indian players in action alongside the foreign stars if football is to flourish in the longer term.
“It shouldn’t be, as we have seen at some European clubs, that none of the local players are playing in the XI,” Valcke said. “We always have to maintain a balance between local players and international stars. That’s how you create strong footballers in the country.” Eight city-based clubs, each with a quota of seven foreigners plus a marquee player, are competing in the inaugural edition of the ISL. The remaining 14 spots in in each squad are reserved for Indian players, including four from the local city.
“What is important is that whenever you do something at the top level, you don’t forget about the grassroots programs and to develop football at the level of the kids,” Valcke said. “The ISL is helping; the Indian league (I-League) is there as well. We must make sure that we’re all together with one goal — to develop football in India and help India play in the World Cup sooner!” Valcke said India hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2017 would also help in the long run, particularly with infrastructure.
He said he met with sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal to reinforce the importance of support to develop more infrastructure.
“We need more pitches, and give all Indians more ways to play the sport,” he said.
The ISL has already drawn big crowds, with 60,000 attending the opening match at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. There were 35,000 in New Delhi to watch the Delhi Dynamos take on Pune City on Tuesday, Valcke said, “and the way they supported their team and the game itself was amazing.” The ISL has been the most highly anticipated pro league in India since cricket’s Indian Premier League was launched, surpassing interest for similar competitions in more traditionally popular games in India like field hockey and kabaddi.
Indian football fans have long followed European leagues with enthusiasm but so far it hasn’t translated into a big following at home, and the national team is ranked in the 150s.
Big names will grow Indian football: FIFA
Big names will grow Indian football: FIFA
Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como
- Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points
COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck in stoppage time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes from time when Rabiot caught the Como defense off guard with a low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”
