Chhetri’s plea and what it means for sport in India

a tepid tournament into a coveted one. Not just the match against Kenya, but the next one too, against New Zealand yesterday, was sold out; as, I understand, is Sunday’s final.

Some conservatives thought his video message unwarranted from an international player and captain at that. But that is missing the point completely. Even, more, it fails to understand the pathos that lies behind this.

Like all performing artists, sportspersons are inspired to do better when they have an audience.

Imagine a singer at a music concert at say MMRDA or an actor on stage at NCPA was confronted with empty seats. They would be in an existential void, as it were.

Chhetri’s predicament was similar. The public appeal may have been a trifle gimmicky, but the effort was to engage with fans to make the sport grow.

Ironically, while football is getting a lot of traction in India, it is rather more for overseas leagues seen on TV ratherthanmatchesplayedin the country.

Obviously, the difference in standard of play there and here is wide. But it is a chicken and egg situation for unless there is support from several quarters, how can quality improve here?

Multiple challenges lie ahead. Football authorities have to market the sport well, create heroes fans can identify with. Players in turn have to keep the quest for excellence burning and all of this contributing towards a selfsustaining ecosystem.

Chhetri in the video says that if players get spectator support, India’s footballers and the team will get better. This won’t happen overnight, of course, but the greatest virtue in sports lovers is of ₹keeping the faith’.

The crux of the matter is having an environment where sport is attractive – as much to the spectator as the player – irrespective of result.

This I believe is at the core of Chhetri’s video message. It goes beyond just match attendances. It is in fact aimed at making sport a prominent feature of our national ethos and psyche.