17th May 2019 10:05:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Former Indian football star Bhaichung Bhutia has remarked that Arunachal Pradesh has a vast reserve of football talent that is waiting to be tapped. The statement ought to be taken seriously as it has come from someone who is worshipped all over country particularly in the Northeast as an idol and has been the poster boy of Indian football during his heyday. It must also be taken note that Bhaichung’s comment are not words of mere appeasement for people of the state he has visited, but carries a lot of sanguinity since he has expressed his desire to set up a football school here. And since he had found something substantial in the state’s footballing potential to explore, he has made this proposal.

Football, which is often defined as the greatest game on earth is also followed with great enthusiasm all over the country. And in some parts it is something more than a blend of passion & obsession and a way of life altogether. The FIFA World Cup visits us every four years and for all Indians it invariably becomes the time to deal with the puzzle as to why a country with 130+ populace fails every time to form a 11 member squad and qualify. Way back in 2007, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter had called India the ‘sleeping giant’ of world football. But it seems that the hibernation will continue forever as India’s current ranking is 101, telling a story of total failure. But the ‘sleeping giant’ sobriquet still holds good today, standing in 2019, as football continues to be the number one game in many parts of the country particularly in Bengal, Kerala and the Northeast of course. International success matters little to these people and it’s the unflinching love of the game that has kept it alive over the years.

It should be candidly admitted that much of Indian football’s future now depends on Northeast since the heady days of the game in Bengal is over. A glance over the country’s soccer circuit, whether it is ISL, I League or the national squad speaks volumes of Northeast supremacy. Manipur is the front runner for the last two decades with commendable contributions also by the other states of the region. But Arunachal has somehow been a fence sitter till now and as Bhaichung has correctly said, needs to be explored thoroughly since the essential hallmarks that make an outstanding footballer viz. skill, stamina, speed, agility and perseverance can be found in equal quantities like in any other state players of the region.

For football to flourish in the state, besides building a solid infrastructure base like stadiums and coaching camps, a proper scouting mechanism must also be devised so that no talent go unnoticed. 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List