‘NE clubs’ success an inspiration for all’
Former India footballer Renedy Singh believes the recent success of Northeast football clubs in all-India tournaments is a success story of not only the region but of the entire country.
The North-east has emerged as the feeder of footballers and with Aizawl’s FC’s I-League triumph, followed by Neroca FC winning the I-League second division, the footballing community of the country is taking note of the immense passion and potential of people from the region.
“The contribution of Aizawl FC, Shillong Lajong and Neroca FC will not only amplify the love for football in the North-east but also provide hope for other cities and states to develop and create their own success story,” Renedy said.
“The future of Indian football should stem from having teams from across the country. We need more participation from states like Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan or even football-centric cities like Siliguri, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad to revolutionise football in India.”
The All India Football Federation’s proposed idea of running the Indian Super League and the I-League simultaneously has created an ongoing debate about its feasibility.
Asked about the proposed dual league and its implications on players, the president of the Football Players’ Association of India said, “It’s too early to talk about the roadmap and we will receive clarity only post the Asian Football Confederation meeting on June 7.
“As president of the FPAI, I will be more than happy if there were 20 or even 30 teams playing throughout the year in a longer league format and players are provided extended contracts. Longer leagues will only make the Indian football ecosystem sustainable for the clubs as well as the players.
“The positive side of having multiple leagues is that we get an opportunity to see an increase in the number of players and the same players don’t juggle between two clubs in a year. More players will be employed, and will get an opportunity to play at a professional level. This system will also help the national team and the overall player development, as we will see 400 to 500 professional players competing at the national level compared to 150 to 200 players we have seen in the past two-three seasons.
“That is the only way wherein we can see active participation of players from various states across the country.”
Whatever the AFC meeting’s outcome, Renedy is confident the North-east will continue to grab headlines, for its sustained effort in producing footballers.