Anger & shock still remain

Perhaps this was one of the worst Saturdays the football loving souls in Mumbai woke up to. Habituated to seeing Mahindra United dish out some quality football often during the weekends, the news of the club getting disbanded seemed to have sunk in finally — both among the players and the game’s administrators as well.

But the disillusionment and anger over the suddenness of the decision still remains. Western India Football Association (WIFA) assistant secretary Wali Mohammad discussed the matter with his boss Praful Patel, the president of WIFA.

“One has to understand, Mahindra’s pullout also shows the association in poor light. The new teams wanting to affiliate with us are thinking twice now. I had to speak to Mr Patel over this issue. He too has expressed shock and may ask the Mahindra to have a rethink,” Mohammad said.

The disappointment and furore, though, are not just restricted to the club pulling out. It extends to the way football is governed in the country and also the functioning of the AIFF. A coach of one of country’s biggest clubs said, “If they really are sad about the club quitting, then one of them should have been in the city today to meet the Mahindra officials. One could see such a thing coming. Why would someone spend crores of rupees every year if they get nothing in return? The AIFF hasn’t taken any initiative to market the sport. They need to make the clubs feel important.”

Mahindra getting disbanded is a body blow for the sport. Not only did they groom the youngsters but they were successful in drawing the crowd to fill the lone stand at the Cooperage. Adib Kenkre, the man behind starting the Kenkre football academy in the city said, “When the Tatas and Mafatlals quit football, all the glamour was lost. Mahindra is a big brand. Without them, the sport is left completely paralysed.”