Monday, March 29, 2010

Giant leap for Indian football


It is the time for Indian football to celebrate.Recently there was many occasions,which made the countries football fans jubilant and now it has come to a turning point-striker Sunil Chhetri has signed contract with US Major League Soccer(MLS) club Kansas City Wizards.

Chhetri has become the first Indian footballer to play first division league in another country and only the third Indian to play abroad,after Mohammed Salim,who played for Celtic in 1930's and Baichung Bhutia,current national captain,played for English club Bury.F.C during 1999-2002 period. Chhetri is considered as Bhutia s' successor ,as the 'face of Indian football'.He becomes the eighth Asian player in MLS and first in Kansas City Wizards.

When he wrote an article in a newspaper after signing the contract,Chhetri congratulated the Indian team,which had won the world cup for street children held in South Africa last week. Even though it is not a FIFA event,it was India s' first world championship in football.These achievements,may change the course of the game in world 's second largest populated country.National side has qualified for the continental championship after 1984 and Nehru cup twice in recent years.Age group teams are more successful,and clubs also had many overseas victory.

Indian football was waiting for a spark to ignite itself,and this can be it,which we waited for long. This may be a small move,but the game can revive itself,with good quality players,good coaches,etc., But lack of infrastructure is a main problem,which needs immediate attention.Chhetri 's success may attract many other players.Fans are
eagerly waiting for Indian teams next year Asian cup run and,now it is the time for football in India............
dreams are coming true,
and hopes are on full swing.......