Indian soocer had a golden era but basking in that past glory just would not help and it's time to catch up with the world, said AIFF Preseident Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.
NEW DELHI: Indian soocer had a golden era but basking in that past glory just would not help and it's time to catch up with the world, said All India Football Federation (AIFF) Preseident Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.
In the 1950s and 60s, India was a force to reckon with in the world of football. They were invited to play in 1950 World Cup, finished fourth in 1956 Melbourne Olympics besides winning gold in 1951 New Delhi Asian Games and 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.
Dasmunshi said since then, lot has changed in terms of rules, fitness of players and professionalism which were not evident four decades ago.
"We cannot bask in past glories. The golden era is over and lots of changes have taken place in the world of football. We have to catch up now," Dasmunshi said while addressing the media at the launch of Haryana State League here on Monday.
"Football was played for 70 minute then and now we have to play 90 gruelling minutes and 120 minutes sometimes. The players will have to be super-fit now.
"Professionalism is the norm everywhere in the world. We have not been able to compete with professionalism in Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and others. So we have to work harder in professionalising football," he added.
The AIFF President also revealed that from next season's I-League (2009-10), the number of foreigners in each club would be reduced. Currently, each team can register three foreign players and include three in their squad in a match.
National coach Bob Houghton and clubs like Dempo have been arguing to reduce the number of foreign players to nurture local talents.
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