Siliguri, July 23: Former captain of the Indian football team, Baichung Bhutia, has shared his views on the development of Indian football, new sports policies, and the Commonwealth Games. He expressed optimism for positive changes in Indian football, emphasizing the need to give the new government and relevant organizations adequate time to implement these changes.
Bhutia highlighted the importance of grassroots player development for the growth of football in India.
In a conversation with the media, Bhutia stated, “The new government will work towards making significant changes, and decisions will be made in the interest of players and sports. We should give the new government time. We are ready to support players in every possible way.”
He pointed out that the Indian Football Association (IFA) should not limit its focus to Kolkata alone. The association must pay equal attention to the development of football across the entire state, especially in every district. He noted that North Bengal has many talented players who deserve better opportunities and facilities.
Regarding the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Bhutia mentioned that the number of sports in this edition is quite limited, which could impact the medal prospects for several countries, particularly India. While India has strong hopes for medals in wrestling and other sports, the exclusion of wrestling could lead to a loss of medals for the Indian contingent.
Bhutia suggested that India should learn from the sports models of smaller countries like Curacao and Cabo Verde, which, despite having very small populations, consistently produce good football players. This success is attributed to a strong grassroots infrastructure, long-term planning, and continuous investment in young players.
It is noteworthy that Curacao and Cabo Verde are part of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Bhutia concluded by stating that if India works systematically at the grassroots level, provides opportunities to local talents, and expands sports infrastructure to the districts, Indian football can reach new heights. The collective efforts of players, administrators, and the government can significantly improve the future of Indian football.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
