“This is historic. Hosting a tournament of such stature will help galvanise the face of Indian football among the masses and youth of the country”, said AIFF President Praful Patel with a big smile. The U-17 FIFA World Cup is coming to India in 2017 and this is a very big moment for football here. FIFA President Sepp Blatter had once called India ‘the sleeping giant of football’ this could well be considered the wake up call.
Recently at a posh hotel in the national capital, the baton was passed onto India from Chile – the clock has started ticking and that time and tide waits for no man is well documented. Gracing the occasion was the legendary Indian footballer Chuni Goswami – the joy on his face emphasising the importance of this moment, also present were Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri. But he threw caution to the wind, pointing out, that this was a massive amount of responsibility and a massive challenge for India.
The cherry on the cake for the players at this point – India finally gets to field a football team in a World Cup, albeit as hosts. More than 60 years since we had qualified for the senior World Cup in Brazil and about 50 plus years after India dominated the sport in the Asian circles.
But that is literally the last freebie for India. Responsibility, ambition and determination will be the necessary ingredients as 2017 draws nearer; panic stricken officials running helter skelter will not help anyone – well emphasised in the run up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
What does this mean for India?
This is the World Cup, and there are no scopes for slip ups. The Indian football administration is without doubt expected to put in a stellar show.
There will be 6 venues used in the tournament and all venues need renovations. Tournament Director, Javier Ceppi, few months ago remarked – that the UEFA Champions League Final in Berlin was a good example of the standards expected. 6 venues like that means the Indian football is in store for a massive makeover – much needed, one could say.
Of course, a World Cup is not just about all the hard work that goes into its making; there is also the small matter of making sure the three weeks is something of carnival. Passion for the beautiful game runs high in India, that is well documented – and this where it is apt to use the phrase – the more the merrier. AFC President and FIFA Presidential hopeful Sheikh Salman certainly believes so, “When we talk about football, the game has a lot of passion and emotion. I think this is what we want to bring to India, this is what we want to share with all of you.”
Players have to make this count
The U-17 World Cup has the tradition of producing some of the best the world have gone on to see – the likes of Ronaldhino, Francesco Totti, Xavi, Iker Casillas, Neymar to name a few – clearly the standards of football and the footballing acumen is at very high level.
No one of course expects a Ronaldhino or Neymar from the Indian set up, but the fact that Baichung and Sunil Chhetri expressed their jealousy for missing out on the tournament – puts into perspective what a player will experience. India’s coach Nicolai Adam who has German efficiency in his bloodline has promised; India will not be a pushover – toeing that line will rightfully be considered as shambolic.
To be a part of any World Cup is a dream come true, and in 2017 that dream will be realized with the U-17 biennial showpiece. Chile set the example in 2015 and it is expected to be as colourful a party, but there are responsibilities aplenty for the lords of Indian football to take note off. A poor report card will just accelerate the slump India has been in.
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