92 Forever: The Classiest ‘Class’ of them all..

This is going to be one of those “rarest of the rare” categories of blogs that I’ve ever written. And it’s because of the simple reason that probably for the first time in the history of the sport a die-hard, hardcore Liverpool fan is going to be praising the ideology and dogma of a club called Manchester United. I guess this is something that every football freak on this planet, irrespective of the club that he/she follows, would do unconditionally if they’ve had the phenomenal privilege to watch a group of immensely talented boys set sail on their amazing journey to battle it out with the world to attain the well-deserved glory that they achieved.

David “Becks” Beckham, Paul “Scholesy” Scholes, Ryan “Giggsy” Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicholas “Nicky” Butt. Anyone talking/writing about these fine individuals would agree with me when I say that the “Class of 92” is and perhaps will always be legendary. Not because of the reason that these footballers emitted jugs of talent that was immeasurable, but solely because of the reason that never before and never till now has a class graduated that has produced multiple gifted players all at one go. It must be noted that though these players were “6” in number, their dream was just “one” – to enjoy the game and inspire a generation.

And inspire they did. In an era when British culture ruled and people were more into music and fashion than football, Manchester United was busy producing within its academy a set of gifted individuals who were lucky enough to play with each other and most of all respected the game more than anything in the world. There was one reason that made them click the way they did, that made them closer than brothers, that completely eliminated an impetuous felling called “jealousy” between them and that made them realize they needed to have each other’s backs – Football. It was that important to them. It was their grounds of motivation.

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Under the unparalleled guidance of recently retired manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Class of 92 went on to star for the Manchester United first team during a period of unprecedented success for the northern England powerhouse. And that came as early as the 1995 season when they were “thrown” onto the field together to represent the Red Devils in all of Europe’s elite competitions. Now call it “luck”, Sir Alex’s “insight” or just sheer brilliance that the Class of 92 possessed, but it worked. Everyone from people to experienced football pundits criticized them; however, Becks, Scholsey, Giggsy, Gary, Phil and Nicky had other plans in mind.

Playing for the biggest club in the world, which at that time none of them knew, and going on a trophy binge to become one of the world's most recognized sporting  brands in history says a lot about the extraordinary character that the “Fergie's Fledglings” exuberated. That’s right. After “Busby Babes” came the era of the Fergie's Fledglings - a group of players recruited and trained by Sir Alex who went on to play for the first team and embellish their names in the history books. Not only did these players gel perfectly with each other, but it was the manner in which they did it that made them what they are today and achieve what they achieved.

Now let’s see. Gary Neville played at right back. Phil Neville played at left back. David Beckham played on the right flank. Ryan Giggs took the left flank. The midfield was completely dominated by Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. That’s more than half the team that was brought in at the same time. And that too was total inexperience that was catapulted on the pitch. I guess keeping myself in the feet of the United fans at that time, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the whole football fraternity must have thought that the Red Devils were taking an uncalled-for risk at the time. I mean who the hell were these six blokes anyway?

I’m no expert on this, but when six out eleven players walk out to the centre of the field with the whole world thinking that it is all just a big mistake it’s kind of hard to get your game on. It’s definitely the greatest challenge that is thrown your way, especially when the positions in question here are the flanks and central midfield. The central midfield is supposed to be the “heart” of a team and the flanks its “wings”. So one can imagine the predicament a team and its manager would be in if the brand new heart and fervent wings fail to function. But that’s what the Class of 92 was ready for. Bring it on they said as their brilliant aura was inconceivable.

It was that dominating presence on field that the Red Devils had that made them the most feared team in the 1990s. People give credit to Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, who rightly and respectfully deserve all the credit. But I guess I say this for all when I say that it was the unsurpassable versatility that Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers had that made all the difference. To do a 1-2 between the rightmost extremity and the leftmost extremity on the field is a wondrous task and the Class of 92 did that with ridiculous ease. Not just in one game against one opponent. But in every game, irrespective the enemy.

The debate will last forever on this topic. Some say that the Class of 1992 is overrated. It’s their opinion and they are quite rightly entitled to it. I mean if a young bunch of passionate and dedicated playmakers help a team win 6 English Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 1 UEFA Champions League title during their tenure (one of those seasons had a prestigious treble there as well by the way) and still be called “overrated”, then there’s nothing on this planet that a footballer can do to be truly, rightfully and undoubtedly be called a Football Legend. The Class of 92 did that and they will forever be the “Classiest” of them all.

'Hitman' Cristiano Ronaldo silences his critics..

There can be numerous superlatives used to define the genius and the remarkable exploits of a man called Cristiano Ronaldo. But what can be said? Watching him exhibit his phenomenal talent in destroying oppositions night after night just encapsulates the mind and heart of the footballing fraternity, nay the sporting fraternity.  It’s plain and simple. You want goals? Dial CR7.

And it’s not just goals against small teams or weaker defences. You name the time and the place and Ronaldo will be there ensuring that he is without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest, if not the greatest, footballers on the planet today. Life is simple for Cristiano Ronaldo. He lives by his ever-lasting policy that there’s no problem in being arrogant as long as you can pull it off with your superb talent.

The FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Sweden was being termed as probably one of the great classics weeks in advance. It was hyped for the unfeigned reason that it will pitch two “gladiators” (Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Cristiano Ronaldo) against each other. Only one team was supposed to make through to the World Cup. It was “Ibra vs. CR7”. The pre-match analytics wrote itself. No one needed to build up the scintillating contest that was on the cards. All that people could do was to wait for the night.

It has often been the case that “big names” always either choke under pressure or fail to perform at the international arena when a match is as hyped as the Sweden-Portugal clash was. But, not for Ronaldo. He single-handedly took upon himself the duty for which his country had sent the whole team out there. He single-handedly carried the unabridged hopes of an entire nation when he walked out to the center of the field. And he single-handedly made FIFA president Sepp Blatter choke on his words.

No other player would have had the audacity to stand up to a phenomenon called “Zlatan” on a cold wintry night in a stadium known as “Zlatan Arena” in Sweden. But that’s what Ronaldo did. He chose that night to make believers out of non-believers. He chose that night to proclaim that he’s the best ever when it comes to getting the job done in crunch situations. And he chose that night to show to the world that if one gets the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic to applaud their game in his own backyard, then one can be assured of having achieved something really special and magical. No arguments there!!

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A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick overshadowed a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace to power Portugal to the FIFA World Cup Finals in less than a year’s time. And quite frankly, it is really great for the sport that a person of Ronaldo’s mind-boggling aura and prodigious ability is going to be in Brazil. Don’t get me wrong. It’s really sad that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would not be there. If it was in my hands, I would take both. The sport needs to be represented with great talent. But Ronaldo was just that damn good on a night when he showed that his versatility on the pitch to change flanks within minutes is nothing short of breathtaking.

One would think that finishing second twice in a row to Lionel Messi for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or would play a toll on the Real Madrid playmaker’s mind. Especially after hearing comments like “Ronaldo is the luckiest guy in the world as he always has a front row seat to watch Messi win all the awards.” But he’s been living up to the expectations night after night without fail. He’s been proving himself to people worldwide that he indeed has what it takes to go down in history as one the greatest “legends” to have ever graced the beautiful game. 

Ronaldo’s scored 225 goals in 216 appearances for Real Madrid and to top it all off he's scored 66 goals already in 2013. The closest that anyone or any team is to that extraordinary number is “Liverpool” with 61 goals. He’s undoubtedly the number 1 choice for the Ballon D'Or. And if his stats are not enough to substantiate his claim, there’s another reason. He’s Cristiano Ronaldo… He Comes… He Scores… He Conquers… End of Story!!

The Day I Felt the Force..

It was just another “regular” Monday. For the rest of the world the day was a distressing reminder that the week had just begun. It was another disconcerting aide-memoire that the weekend had just finished, Monday had come and Friday was an eternity away. 

Of course, I wasn’t feeling the blues because let’s face it my job has no blues. There are days when I just long to get out of bed and head straight to work. There are days when I want to stay back in office and work another 12 hours. And considering the recent events that happened to me, there are days when I want to be in office 24/7/365. (I know.. Get a ‘life’ Mori.. Right?)

So anyways, coming back to Monday. We (my two colleagues and I) were sitting in office doing the unvarying routine and a part of me for some reason was feeling a little perturbed. Don’t know why, but I wanted to go home. I wanted to be home as soon as possible. In fact, earlier that day I was contemplating not coming to office at all. I almost called in sick. But somehow something got me going and I came to office. I now know that had I missed office that day, I would have never ever forgiven myself. Regret and depression would have ruled my mind forever.

The time was a little over 17:00hrs. It was time for our daily trip to the Cafeteria for coffee and snacks when suddenly a Sania Mirza story forced us to stay back a little longer. Not a problem. That’s what the job description is. But suddenly one of my colleagues came bursting through the door saying that “someone” had come outside. 

I opened the door and checked outside. And, almost immediately, multiple things started happening to me. I wanted to scream, but I was completely out of breath. I wanted to run out, but my legs started to shiver for God knows what reason. I wanted to keep staring, but I’m pretty sure that I went partially blind for 10 minutes. Because right outside were the Formula 1 team Sahara Force India’s drivers Adrian Sutil and Paul Di Resta.

I know that I’m a journalist now and all these things are supposed to be “routine” for me. But come on man, Sutil and Di Resta were standing right outside the door. It was one of those magical moments that you want to relive over and over again. I’ve been an avid follower of Formula 1 for quite some time now. I’ve been to the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.  And this was indeed a breathtaking moment. I wanted to talk to them, wanted to know how they think, wanted to get their views on India, wanted to know what they felt about Sebastian Vettel, etc etc etc. My questions would have been endless. I would have talked the night away with them. But I knew that such a thing was not possible. I was not there yet.

So my senior colleague and I walk out the door and all I can see is Paul Di Resta’s face. Adrian Sutil and his girlfriend, who I now know is Jenifer Becks, were busy clicking photos with the other journalists. Suddenly, I had this gush of adrenalin just pumped into me from heavens above. I went straight up to Paul, who was talking to a sports journalist I guess, and interrupted their conversation. I said: “Hi Paul, Big Fan”.. He replied: “Thanks Mate” and we shook hands. I almost sank in right there on the floor. That moment was legendary. I had just interacted with my first ever Sports Personality. Di Resta, even though has not been successful in F1 to that extent, is however credited with beating Vettel for the Formula 3 title.

That was it I felt. I thought at that instant that the magic was dead after just 5 seconds. We walked to the elevators and were looking to head down to the Cafe and I was all down in the dumps full of gloom and melancholy. Suddenly, Sutil, Becks, Di Resta and a fourth person walked out the hallway and made their way to the elevators. I knew that this was God’s way of telling me that “Dude, grow up and go freaking click a photograph with those F1 legends.” I went up to Adrian and said: “Hi Adrian.. Big Fan.. All the Best for Indian GP..” He replied: “Oh Thank You.. I’ll need it..” We shook hands and I asked him: “Can I get a picture with you?” He said: “Sure Mate”..

In full excitement I handed my 12.1 megapixel camera phone to my senior colleague, who thank heavens used his Xolo phone to click the photo instead. Otherwise who knows how long I would have had to stand there looking like a fool just waiting for the Bullshit camera on Sony Xperia S to focus me with Sutil.

So there we were. Adrian Sutil and I. Standing together to be clicked. A moment that will be talked about in my family for generations. (At least I’ll never let this moment grow old). My Son is one day going to hear the epic tale of how his father took a photograph with an F1 driver. While we were standing there, I specifically remember that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my hands. I first folded them, then I took them behind and till the time that I tried a third position, my legs started to shiver. Finally I saw the flash click that ended me of my misery. I thanked Adrian once again and wished him luck.

Standing just behind him was Di Resta. I asked him for a photograph as well. He said: “Sure Mate”. This time I was much used to the pressure of standing with a celebrity. Click. It happened in no time. I would like to thank my senior colleague and his Xolo phone for all the support rendered. History was made. The photos are going to be framed and be hung on top of my bed. No matter what anyone says, no matter how bad I look in those photographs, I will always cherish those epic reminders of the legendary moment I shared with Sahara Force India.

It’s really strange how things work out, isn’t it? With the events that transpired on October 21, 2013, I’m now a firm believer in Destiny. Whatever has to happen, will definitely happen. No one can stop the inevitable. If it’s written, then no force on earth of heaven can stop it from occurring. I almost didn’t go to office that day but in the end I did and it turned out to be one of the most proud moments of my life. It instilled upon me that positive energy that I’m not wasting my life. It inspired me to such extents that I’ll never give up on that “hunger” to grow and be happy. Life is waiting for me to enjoy it. And that’s what I’m gonna do now.

It was a day that changed me.. It was a day when I “felt the force”..

Is Sebastian Vettel really the greatest ever?

Let's be honest, shall we? As much as I hate to admit it, I know that I have to come to the disconcerting “fact” that Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel might actually be the greatest Formula One driver of all time. I’ve come to this “enlightenment” because of the recent events that have taken place in the racing scenario.

Of the last six races, Vettel has won five with four of them being on the trot. A win in the next race (Japanese Grand Prix) would actually just roll the carpet for the German to be crowned the youngest ever quadruple world champion when the Indian Grand Prix takes place on October 27th. And how ironical it would be if India is “chosen” as the country where Vettel achieves this “dreaded” achievement.

For those of you who’re confused right now as to what blasphemous connection I’m trying to make between India and Vettel, don’t worry. I’ll explain. Remember a driver called Narain Karthikeyan? The person who was called the ‘fastest Indian in the world’? Well, believe it or not he actually got the opportunity to drive in Formula One for 3 years. Shocked? Don’t be. That’s what the world thinks you know. The world thinks that Indians aren’t capable of doing anything else except feeding cows and spreading corruption.

Being a little cynical, am I? Well not exactly. I’m pretty sure that Sebastian Vettel thought (and thinks) the same way about Indians as well. There was this incident involving him and Karthikeyan that was the onset of my hatred towards Vettel. Vettel called Karthikeyan an “idiot” and flicked him off on Live TV in front of the whole world just because the “Indian” did not let him pass through on a blue flag.

It was totally uncalled for. Vettel fans called it his “immaturity”. Others called the incident “heat of the moment”. Whatever! It really incepted this bad emotion within me regarding Vettel. So, that is why it would be really ironical if India gets to be the country where Vettel is crowned world champion for the fourth consecutive year.

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Anyway, coming back to the trepidatory fact that Vettel might actually be the greatest F1 driver in history, let’s look at a few specifics. Sebastian Vettel, the child prodigy as some called him when he was making his name in the Formula 3 World Series, has probably broken all the “young” records that there are to be broken.

He was the youngest driver to have taken part in an official practice session, the youngest to have scored championship points, the youngest to lead a race, the youngest to secure pole position, the youngest driver to set the fastest lap time during a race, the youngest to get a podium position, and of course the youngest to have won a race. And if that was not all, he’s the youngest single world champion. Scratch That. He’s the youngest double world champion. Oh Damn! Scratch that as well. He’s the youngest triple world champion in the history of the sport.

Those kinds of facts are really hard to argue and mess with. I mean come on. The man has broken almost every possible record there is in the books. And if he has not, then he definitely has his sights set on them. It is this intent to win at any cost by compromising one’s ethics and ideologies that makes Vettel who he is.

We all know the ignominy that happened between Vettel and his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year. Which is why some freaks like me might hate Vettel’s guts, but that does not change the ugly truth – Sebastian Vettel gets the “W” when it matters the most.

Of the 115 race entries that Sebastian Vettel has in his career, he has won 34 races that takes his win percentage to 29.56%. When compared to the legendary Michael Schumacher’s 308 entries to 91 wins data, Vettel pips the German marvel because Schumi’s win percentage came to 29.55%. On the other hand, in the total poles won category, of 115 entries Vettel has 42 pole positions as compared to Schumi’s 308-68 data. That takes Vettel’s success percentage to 36.52% as compared to Schumi’s 22.08%.

However, there is a reason why Michael Schumacher is probably the only “legend” that Formula One will ever see. One of those is the stupendous record that Schumi holds where he has the most consecutive wins from the first race of a season. Schumi won the first 5 races of a new season in 2004 when he won from the Australian Grand Prix till the Spanish Grand Prix.

Schumi also comprehensively holds the astounding record of the most wins at the same Grand Prix. He has 8 wins at the French Grand Prix, 7 at the Canadian Grand Prix and the San Marino Grand Prix, and 6 at almost every other Grand Prix there is in the world. Hard to fight with those kind of records right?

But there was something that happened at the recently concluded Singapore Grand Prix that really blew my mind away. Something, which when looked into in detail, really brought forward the veracity of how talented and dominating Sebastian Vettel really is. Not only did the Red Bull driver win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, he did with a tinge of superiority - the magnitude of which was staggering.

Vettel led from start to end and the manner in which he kept gaining speed and increasing the gap between him and the “second best” was indeed breathtaking and was definitely something that even the great Schumacher never did. Vettel was 1.9 seconds clear after the first lap, 4.2 seconds clear after the second lap and by the time he reached lap 43 he was 30.6 seconds clear off the closest compatriot behind him.

Vettel won the Singapore Grand Prix by over 32 seconds. Believe me, 32 seconds is like an eternity in Formula One. Not only is such a dictating performance highly uncommon; but considering the fact that it was done right after the safety car was withdrawn, on a circuit that has not been incident free since its inauguration, is truly commendable.

Vettel, at present, has 3 Formula One driver’s world championships to his name. It can, and probably will, be 4 by the end of this season. Schumi has 7 in total. Vettel is 26 years old right now and can easily get 3 more till the time he is 30. Not only that, Schumi has the record for the most consecutive Formula One driver’s world championship titles at 5. So, with the kind of predominating form that Vettel is in right now, the German has a very good possibility to break that record as well when he races next year and the year after that.

Vettel’s achievements speak for themselves. I’m no one to question his capability. His caliber and aura speak volumes when it comes to fighting his case of earning respect. He has the talent, he has the skill, and “best” of all he has the technology in Red Bull to help him achieve his dream of becoming the greatest of all time. The only question that remains though is…

Does he already think that he is?

Leander Adrian Paes: Making Indians proud since 1991

When Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek won the US Open doubles title, Paes became only the 2nd tennis player in Open Era to win a Grand Slam at age of 40..

For more on him check my latest article in The Times of India..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/us-open-2013/indian-challenge/Leander-Adrian-Paes-Making-Indians-proud-since-1991/articleshow/22437658.cms

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Can Gareth “Bale” Real Madrid Out?

He’s not worth it. Wales’s international winger Gareth Bale, who recently completed a high-profile move from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to La Liga giants Real Madrid for a staggering fee of €100m ($132m or £85m) that made him the most expensive player in the history of the game, is not worth his transfer fee at all. I know that it’s uncanny for me to begin this blog with such a pessimistic approach, but the facts are plain, simple and as clear as water. He’s just not worth his world record fee.

Let’s not get things wrong. Gareth Bale is an exceptional player. He’s one of the fastest on the circuit, he’s got that morale-boosting aura that can lift a team when all hope seems lost (Remember his hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro?) and not to forget he’s got a lethal left leg that can make any goalkeeper contemplate calling in sick before an important match. In fact, Bale is undoubtedly a player who any manager would die to have on their team. But when a team shells out money just to satisfy the “ego” of an individual, that’s when I draw the line between intelligence and lunacy.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is the “individual” whom I’m talking about. In some ways one can call him the “Real-messiah” due to that colossal reputation he’s earned of giving the fans what they want. He’s been known to have a history of acquiring elite footballers by paying extremely high prices. Some might call it his undying “passion” towards the club and the beautiful game while others might call it his dire need to satisfy his inflated “ego”. The debate is open and is something that will never end.

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It was Perez’s bold initiative that led to the “Galacticos” era when the football fraternity was graced by the presence of Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Iker Casillas, and Co. playing for the same team at the same pitch all the same time. And it was when he began his second term as club President in 2009 that he first bought Kaka from AC Milan for £58 million before breaking an eight-year world record transfer fee deadlock to sign Man United’s Cristiano Ronaldo for £80 million.

Perez’s exploits are something that are known quite well in the footballing world and therefore when rumors started floating that Real Madrid would be willing to breach the €100m mark just to get Bale to play at the Bernabeu, no one seemed surprised. It was kind of like what else is new? However, what people started doing almost immediately was drawing up career statistics comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and whether or not the Welshman actually deserved his world record price tag.

Let’s look at the statistics ourselves, shall we? In his six seasons at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 118 goals thereby leading the Red Devils to three Premier League titles, two Carling Cups, one FA Cup, one Community Shield and one Club World Cup. On the other hand Gareth Bale, in his six seasons at White Hart Lane, has scored just 55 goals without winning any elite championship. Not to be rude or anything, but Ronaldo scored 54 goals just last season with Madrid. That’s six seasons combined in one.

Also, during his tenure, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged one FIFA Ballon D'or, one World Player of the Year award, two PFA Player of the Year awards, one Young Player of the Year Award and two Fans Player of the Year Award (The list actually goes on but I’ve left out quite a few so that the die-hard Bale fans don’t get demoralized). However, Gareth Bale only bagged two PFA Player of the Year awards and one Young Player of the Year Award.

Another very interesting thing to note is the fact that Bale, unlike Ronaldo, is solely dependent on his left foot. Which is why his playing positions on the football field are limited. At most what he can do is do a to-and-fro between the left back and left wing positions. On the other hand Cristiano Ronaldo, who was once complimented by a commentator as being able to score with any part of his body, scored 54 goals last season with 29 goals off his right foot (excluding free-kicks and penalty-kicks), 16 with his left foot and 8 with his head.

Bale’s move has become one of the most talked about sagas in football history not just among the fans, but also among the football community. Leading coaches have openly condemned the move with new Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino going to the extent of calling it a “joke”. I don’t know what the problem with the world is. Real Madrid seem to have everything figured out. At a time when the world economy is in chaos and Spain is embroiled in a financial crisis that seems never-ending, for football club to take loans just to pay €100m for player who according to his own national coach is “injury-prone” and not “fit enough” to play a full 90-minute match makes "perfect" sense. Don’t you think so? ;)

The English ‘Profitability’ League..

One thing I’ve learnt in my life that has made me a little wiser and more mature is that anything and everything on this planet is in some way or the other proportional to enduring profits. It is. It really is. If an idea or a concept is not lucrative, it’s considered to be ludicrous. And of course, the person suggesting that idea automatically becomes an epitome of “insanity”.

 

The reason I’m bringing all this out is because of recent happenings in the world of football. To be precise, Indian football. Well not actually Indian, but somewhere or the other we Indians always decide that things must have an effect on our society. So, Yes.. I’ll take it as Indian Football.

 

According to reports, the Indian football fans might be in for a treat pretty soon. Very soon the people in India would have the privilege to listen to English Premier League commentary on All India Radio (AIR) FM Rainbow. If things work out that is. Here is a quote from an article on The Times of India website…

 

“In an effort to get Indian football fans hooked to the EPL, a London-based Indian company — Indian Football Evolution (known as Kshatriya Sports in India) — entered into a sales agreement with talkSPORT, global audio partner of the EPL, for broadcast services in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.”

 

What’s interesting in this is the fact that a “London based Indian” company wants to get Indian football fans “hooked” to the EPL. What’s even more interesting is the callous fact that this “London based Indian” company wants “Indian” football fans to get hooked to “British” football rather than “Indian Football.”

 

Like I said, anything and everything is proportional to profits. So, there you have it. The people at Kshatriya Sports cannot be blamed. In fact, they’re doing a wonderful job to help promote football in India (This includes nurturing Indian talent, setting up Football academies, helping State Football Associations, etc.) The problem, to begin with, lies in the manner in which football is treated in India.

 

Why did the English Premier League supersede the I-League in the first place? Why is it that the majority of the Indian football fans are only interested in foreign football? When did all this start in the first place? What made leagues like EPL, La Liga, Serie A more popular in India than its local leagues? The answer is pretty simple. And I’ve said it before as well. No. It’s not “talent”. India’s got Talent as well. Players like Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, Renedy Singh, Gouramangi Singh and Steven Dias could have shaken the world in their prime. The answer, sadly, is profits.

 

The English Premier League began its broadcast in India in the year 2002. I-League (formerly known as The National Football League) began in 1996. What happened in those six years that drastically changed the course of football in India? Nothing actually. That was the problem. Nothing happened.

 

There was little or no coverage for the National Football League. It was not telecasted. Even if it was, then the coverage was pathetic. There were no commentators. There was no pre-match or post-match analysis. There was absolutely no professionalism. Indian footballers were playing their hearts out only to find out that no one was watching. Talent was going waste. Football was heading towards its demise.

 

On the other hand, due to excellent broadcasting, ESPN-Star took the competition by the throat and shoved it in the dustbin. The deal signed by ESPN to broadcast EPL in India will and should go down as ESPN’s greatest business decision ever. Foreign Football’s growing popularity in India is mostly due to ESPN-Star’s coverage combined with talented football players and most importantly “Money”.

 

Now when a TV channel is willing to bid as much as $145 million just to broadcast football in India, one can certainly be assured that they know what the scenario of Indian football is. More importantly, what’s even sadder is that ESPN-Star knows more than some of the Indian TV Channels about what Indian football fans want to see. It was just the right blend of football mixed with impeccable coverage and professional standards. That’s all it took for Indian football to die.

 

When the I-league was formed in 2007, Zee Sports did try to do the same. They brought in football experts. Talent was roped in from England. People tried their level best to resurrect Indian football. But till then it was too late. EPL had already made its permanent residence in the hearts of Indians. Teams like Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal meant more to us than East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Today every fan knows how many teams play in EPL, but only a handful of them know the same about the I-league.

 

And this brings us back to the whole EPL being broadcasted on FM thing. Why would someone like Kshatriya Sports not want to get involved in this? Their job has already been done. The sport has already been made popular in the country. There’s nothing that can revive the competition now. Indian footballers are being treated like dirt. Popularity of foreign footballers is on high. It’s guaranteed money. I think that they have all the reasons to go ahead with the deal and bring EPL on AIR FM.

 

The EPL-AIR FM deal will surely be the final nail in Indian Football’s coffin. I don’t think that even the IPL-style football league would be able to help (I hope that I’m wrong). And with the All India Football Federation disbanding its developmental outfit Pailan Arrows due to lack of financial commitment from its sponsors, it was just a good opportunity capitalized by Kshatriya Sports.

 

I’m no one to complain that it’s EPL that is being broadcasted on FM instead of Indian football. I’m no one to suggest that what Kshatriya Sports is doing is bad for Indian Football’s future. Because when there’s an assured reason for profits and an idea in hand that would be well received due to the already “immensely-cemented” popularity of EPL in India, it was just a bomb ticking to explode.