Day of the underdog

Aizawl FC’s victory in the I-League could not have come a day too sooner. In recent years, it has been widely acknowledged that the best footballers in India are now coming from the North-Eastern states, displacing traditional powerhouses — West Bengal, Kerala and Goa. From Bhaichung Bhutia to Sunil Chetri and now Jeje Lalpekhlua, all have their roots in the North-Eastern states. Yet, most of these players have been forced to head to Kolkata and other Indian cities to play with teams that pay better. Aizawl FC was just playing in its second season in the I-League and was even relegated to the second division at the start of the season. Fortunately for the team, some of the first division teams from Goa were forced to drop out because sponsorship was not forthcoming. Its coach Khalid Jamil was roped in hurriedly, and he must be credited for moulding a group of young footballers, who were not even considered to be the best from Mizoram, into a team that raced to eleven wins in its last 18 matches to pip the other two top contenders — Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Jamil has an enviable task ahead of him. The young North-East team will represent India in the Asian Champions League qualifiers and must also ensure that the more well-healed teams do not poach his players. Aizawl FC’s victory is the right time for the All India Football Federation, Union Sports Ministry and the private sector, whose sponsorship and advertising budgets keep the I-League going, to turn their attention to the seven states of the North-East. With more clubs, investment in training facilities, scholarships and talent-spotting programmes, the latent potential of these regions can be tapped. A Bollywood film dramatising the exploits of Jamil and his boys may surely be in the offing now. But more importantly, India’s low ranking in world football needs to be rectified. It is now certain that the North-East holds the key.