Indian football is not in great shape. The national team is at its lowest ebb in years, and there is nothing much to look forward to. More than results, the Anwar Ali issue has hogged headlines in the last two months and as I have written earlier, no one really benefitted from the unsavoury saga. In every way, football needs an injection of positivity. Something that the fans can draw on to keep their hopes alive. May be that’s why this year’s ISL is perhaps the most important ever. It has to give Indian football a new lifeline, and restore belief that the sport isn’t destined for the recycle bin in this country. We need Indian players to make a mark, and the league to be competitive and compelling. A strong league could translate into a strong national team, for that’s the only hope left for Indian football.
As someone from Kolkata, I am delighted with the inclusion of Mohammedan Sporting, India’s original super club in the pre-WW II years when Mohammed Salim even played for Glasgow Celtic. Kolkata will host not two, but six derbies this season, and each will be a sell-out affair. The presence of thousands of fans will be the best advertisement the ISL can hope for, and if that happens, it won’t need cricketers to promote the brand next season. While cross-promotion is always welcome, to see just Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri in the ISL promotional is evidence that we don’t really have other brands in Indian football who can bring audiences to the ground. This is why it is an opportunity for some like Lalliazuala Chhangte and Apuia. Time to become the poster boys of the sport, leaving the Sunil and Bhaichung generations behind.
ISL 2024-25: @MohammedanSC unveil their new kit for their maiden season. Coach Andrey Chernyshov was present along with the entire squad.@BoriaMajumdar @IndSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/tAbTDppGfz
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 12, 2024
What the ISL has to do is galvanise the Indian football fan. Ignite hope and do away with the negativity. Since the Asian Games last September, all that the Indian fan has seen is negative energy and poor results. The Asian Games was a shocking case of mismanagement. Post that, the AFC Asian Cup was poor, and the failure to make the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers was the worst nightmare come true.
The Igor Stimac saga, which added to the negative energy, only highlighted all that is wrong with Indian football. Under Manolo Marquez, there has been no perceptible sign of improvement yet, and with other sports like the Paralympic Games taking significant strides, options for corporates and brands have opened up. They don’t need Indian football as much as Indian football needs them. If cricket is expensive, they can now go to Olympic and Paralympic sports which offer excellent branding opportunities. That’s where football is starting to lose out.
The ISL can make a significant difference to this scenario if it helps showcase quality football and throws up new Indian talent. Clearly, it is one of the most important seasons with the sport needing the limelight more than ever. With little to cheer, the odds are stacked against it. But then, the beautiful game has often given us beautiful surprises. Hope this season of the ISL serves as one.
Also Read: ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City Renew Rivalry in Season Opener