‘ India needs strong club culture’

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes strengthening the country’s club culture and providing attractive pay will encourage more people to take sports as a profession.

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar last week raised the issue of financial security of athletes, saying it is often a challenge when any person decides to focus on sports alone as their career.

Bhutia, agreeing to the batting maestro’s opinion, said financial security is definitely a factor while choosing a career but also pointed out that things have improved with the advent of professional leagues in different sports disciplines.

This trend, along with a longstanding football culture, has provided sportspersons with more opportunities to earn a decent living.

“I guess the club structure in any sport has to be strong. Incentive for sportspersons when they do well at state and national levels has to be good. And corporates have to come up ( in a bigger way) and sponsor”, Bhutia was quoted as saying.

He said that more than health insurance, it is good pay that will attract people to take up sports as a career.

Bhutia also emphasised on the importance of having health insurance for national- level athletes.

“It is really good if sportspersons are covered under health insurance. But more importantly, one should have good club structure, which offers attractive professional contracts to players,” the 41- year- old said. Messi and Isco are examples. Football is not about physicality, it is about playing intelligently. I just tried to keep the ball away from them.

“When I dribble, I can attract more opposition players to me and that gives space to my team mates. So I also try to create space and chance for my team mates by my dribbling.”

He was disappointed when he was not included in the squad for Arrows’ home match against Gokulam Kerala FC on December 22 but that made him determined to do something when he gets a chance to play.

“When my name was not there in the team list against Gokulam, I was angry. But I respect the decision of my coach. I then resolve that whenever I get a chance I will do something to deserve a place in the playing side.”

Asked if playing in the ILeague was tough, Naorem said, “We thought it will be very difficult to compete in the I- League. But after the U- 17 World Cup experience I feel playing in the ILeague is not that difficult.”

He said the team was focussed on beating Shillong after losing to Gokulam.