India will be football superpower in two decades: German legend Paul Breitner

[Gibbs]

Yeah, I heard that they couldn't afford boots but was curious of why they "refused to".

They were only used to play barefoot, Hence the refusal.. You cant get a team to wear boots overnight and expect them to get used to to them

 

[Peshwa]

It does matter, Viewer interest and athletic ability are two wholly different things, Money also cant buy natural talent.. Indians are a one sport nation in Cricket.. And the irony is even to promote a global game like Soccer they need former Cricketers endorsements.. And more Indians watch the English Premier league than their own domestic competition.. Pity

Actually...Viewership, interest in a sport and culture matter quite a bit..

Take USA for example...football (soccer) did not have a major following in the US..With the onset of leagues and increasing attendance, the sport has picked up greatly...which shows in the recent performance of the US in many international tournaments.
More interest generated means more kids are willing to make soccer the sport of choice as compared to traditional sports such as American football, baseball, hockey etc. and in turn more money being spent on infrastructure and development of players..

Indians are definitely a one sport nation as of now, but thats what need to change and will with the ISL and increased viewership of EPL...this has NOTHING to do with "natural" ability to play soccer. Players can be developed early to develop into the soccer mould.
I also think you are highly underestimating the vastness of India and the talent pool that can be developed if the right resources are poured into the sport.

 

[Bombermanx1]

Hah, interesting. I have heard about them not being able to take part for wanting to play barefooted but why exactly did they refuse to wear boots/footwear!

Because there were no Sponsors for the Football team back then, to get their sports gear and footwear.

 

[jetray]

Asia's somalia making fun of India.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

CSL did that this year, ISL only gets retired players.

Actually in the sub-continent, we all went in the opposite direction in football. Bangladesh used to be a power-house of football in the region and if I am not mistaken India qualified for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Back then, the sport had even less investment to it.

It does matter, Viewer interest and athletic ability are two wholly different things, Money also cant buy natural talent.. Indians are a one sport nation in Cricket.. And the irony is even to promote a global game like Soccer they need former Cricketers endorsements.. And more Indians watch the English Premier league than their own domestic competition.. Pity



India qualified by default to represent the region, Not by playing qualifications,Because all the other Asian nations withdrew in 1950 but Unfortunately they did'nt take part because most of the players refused to wear footwear, Instead opting to play barefoot

Its true. When you want to propagate a sport in rural areas, even Pele wont help in India. You need an Sachin to promote such sport. There is nothing wrong in watching EPL, where the quality of football is really good. And so is Spanish League.

Sub-continent used to be an powerhouse in football. India were runner-ups in 1960 Asia games and semis in 1964 games, I guess. My dad who come from an remote rural village had always played football at his village. Cricket was something which he saw for the first time in college. He used to tell me often. Cricket has replaced all other sport. Because it created an Gavaskar, Kapil and Sachin. All other kids are now inspired from them.

Football needs somebody big talented guy. Atleast one guy who is so talented that foreign leagues can use him. And then naturally football will develop "around" him.

 

[SQ8]

Thanks to Anil Kapoor and Mr India.. there is an unhealthy obsession with the word Superpower in India.

 

[Dungeness]

We Indians believe that if you
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
hence we always say SUPER POWER

Ya, but not when you only have a toy gun.

 

[MilSpec]

I think Mr. Breitner is being generous.

 

[XenoEnsi-14]

Ooooh, the other football.

 

[Holmes2]

The popularity of football will be increasing on the coming decades. This will diversify the sports industry and create more legends.

 

[Indrajith]

Ya, but not when you only have a toy gun.

It is a mindset of limiting yourself .... dream big man .. atleast in dream become a king