Baichung Bhutia: Clubs Need To Support The National Team

The national icon for Indian football spoke on the eve of the 5-day coaching seminar which involves a close study (for various coaches and Under 17 players) of the new masterplan of Indian football crafted by Rob Baan. After 16 years in the national team, the Sikkimese sniper had a few words to share with the media.

Here some excerpts from an interaction with the former Indian skipper:

How important is it that the coaches are on the same wave length as the Rob Baan for us to go forward?I think it’s very important to carve out talented players for us to grow. Football development’s first step is a good youth development programme. It’s very easy to slam only the national team manager but how can a team perform if there is not a talented pool of kids? These programmes require quality coaches and our already qualified coaches will get to have an insight of the football philosophy of Rob Baan. The knowledge which they’ll pass on will be crucial.

When Bob was here, he said that it was very difficult to get things done here. Do you believe it will be easier for Wim to bring forward his ideas?It was always difficult. Not with the AIFF but with the clubs. There are some clubs who have developed an ego after winning some I-league on multiple occassions. They don’t want to learn and they think they know football really well. AIFF has been really supportive and this time they just didn’t bring in club coaches for the seminar, they invited coaches from various academies as well.

Some clubs are not willing to release their players for the Nehru Cup. Your take on that decision?I think it’s very silly. All the clubs have to support the national club. It’s not like they have to play the Fed Cup or the I-league? They just have to play some pre season tournaments in remote areas of the countries. If the national team progresses, so do the clubs. Football grows only when the national team gets better. There should be no second thoughts on releasing the players if there are no I-league or Fed Cup fixtures. On the other hand, the younger players who warm the bench have a good chance in the pre season.

Since the clubs pay the players, they feel that they have a first right on them. Do they have a point?

I think both the clubs and the national team have an equal right. AIFF organizes the I-league without which the clubs would have nothing to compete for on a regular weekly basis. If you look at Manchester United, how will they win trophies if nobody organizes the Premier League or the Champions League which are marketed so well?

Clubs and the national federation should work together. National teams’ progress ropes in title sponsors for the clubs as well. I have been struggling to get one for my club (chuckles). People say football in India is not famous. If a nation qualifies for the Worl Cup, you automatically have the money to pump in the system. This mentality is completely wrong but at the same time, ourselves, as club representatives, we want good returns for our investment. All of this can be attained by the growth of the game in India.