Kolkata
Oct. 16: Bob Houghton isn’t one to mince words and on Thursday, at an interactive session with the coaches of the city’s ‘Big Three,’ the national football coach once again took a dig at the country’s footballing calendar, where "playing for clubs is given more preference than playing for the national team."
"All our national team players are spending three-quarters of their time for their respective clubs. We definitely have had a few successes in the last year-and-a-half. Thus, for us to take giant steps forward, clubs need to come forward and lend a helping hand," he said.
"Only when there’s a break in the club schedule, players are available for national duty. This is absolutely the wrong way. They should play together at regular intervals. To have a successful national team, there should be a major cut down on minor tournaments. When you have an I-League, it’s rather sensible to scrap the Federation Cup. You can develop a successful India team only if the I-League is of a higher standard," he added.
The Briton’s concern for football aspirants in India was evident when he stopped short of expressing his shock at the 14 Tata Football Academy youngsters being recruited by Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
"For a rookie, the ideal platform is the state league. Here what happens, these youngsters are recruited by famed clubs but are made to spend a sizeable amount of time sitting in the benches. It reminds me of Joaquim Abranches, who two to three years ago, had done extremely well in the under-21 level. But after being signed up by Dempo, we hardly get to hear his name. "So, this requires the state leagues to be played alongside the I-League. In that way, we might not lose the talented ones."
Having guided India to the Nehru Cup and AFC Challenge Cup titles, Houghton has his focus firm on the World Cup 2018.
"Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup would be more than a huge task. Hence, the concentration is on four years after (2014). By then, the under-16 and under-14 guys will be of the ideal age since it’s they who are the future of Indian football."
Among the current crop in his team, Houghton feels striker Sunil Chetri and goalkeeper Subrata Paul should play elsewhere rather than confining themselves here.
"I think both Paul and Chetri should first start in a country like Portugal and then, gradually look for greater heights," he said.
Importantly, Chetri is the only player he has communicated with since his arrival in the city. "I had met him (Houghton) at the gym the other day. We just had an informal chat, general discussions to be more precise. As far as playing elsewhere is concerned, I too would like to hone my skills under improved facilities and infrastructure," Chetri told this paper.
Source:Howrah.org
Oct. 16: Bob Houghton isn’t one to mince words and on Thursday, at an interactive session with the coaches of the city’s ‘Big Three,’ the national football coach once again took a dig at the country’s footballing calendar, where "playing for clubs is given more preference than playing for the national team."
"All our national team players are spending three-quarters of their time for their respective clubs. We definitely have had a few successes in the last year-and-a-half. Thus, for us to take giant steps forward, clubs need to come forward and lend a helping hand," he said.
"Only when there’s a break in the club schedule, players are available for national duty. This is absolutely the wrong way. They should play together at regular intervals. To have a successful national team, there should be a major cut down on minor tournaments. When you have an I-League, it’s rather sensible to scrap the Federation Cup. You can develop a successful India team only if the I-League is of a higher standard," he added.
The Briton’s concern for football aspirants in India was evident when he stopped short of expressing his shock at the 14 Tata Football Academy youngsters being recruited by Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
"For a rookie, the ideal platform is the state league. Here what happens, these youngsters are recruited by famed clubs but are made to spend a sizeable amount of time sitting in the benches. It reminds me of Joaquim Abranches, who two to three years ago, had done extremely well in the under-21 level. But after being signed up by Dempo, we hardly get to hear his name. "So, this requires the state leagues to be played alongside the I-League. In that way, we might not lose the talented ones."
Having guided India to the Nehru Cup and AFC Challenge Cup titles, Houghton has his focus firm on the World Cup 2018.
"Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup would be more than a huge task. Hence, the concentration is on four years after (2014). By then, the under-16 and under-14 guys will be of the ideal age since it’s they who are the future of Indian football."
Among the current crop in his team, Houghton feels striker Sunil Chetri and goalkeeper Subrata Paul should play elsewhere rather than confining themselves here.
"I think both Paul and Chetri should first start in a country like Portugal and then, gradually look for greater heights," he said.
Importantly, Chetri is the only player he has communicated with since his arrival in the city. "I had met him (Houghton) at the gym the other day. We just had an informal chat, general discussions to be more precise. As far as playing elsewhere is concerned, I too would like to hone my skills under improved facilities and infrastructure," Chetri told this paper.
Source:Howrah.org
