Player development is not the Fed's job. Period. No point crying hoarse about this obvious fact. So how the blame goes to AIFF? AIFF's fault is this that they aren't creating an environment conducive for the clubs to form academies/ junior teams. Academies are not capital intensive affair, though they need good amount of real estate and organisation and are slow to yield results. No wonder clubs are reluctant to take it up. They need quick results. Plus, as @goalkeepar mentioned, as long as their very existence is under threat, they won't get into it.
Only the Fed can force the clubs to engage the clubs in player building, through rules making it compulsory to have age-group teams and by incentives like waiving entry fees if club have junior team. In other words, Fed should help grow the football eco-system for a kid to take up football.
AIFF failed in this, and failed us as a footballing nation. Only sloganeering 'Let's football' wont win us any laurels.
If AIFF makes the U19 and U15 leagues a full fledged, home and away affair, lasting a minimum of 5-6 months with compulsory participation from I-League, ISL and second division clubs, that will force the clubs to invest seriously.
But AIFF doesn't have money for that, they have money for a stupid tournament where you fly in St.Kitts from across the planet.
If you are obstinate enough to not doing a work. No one's force will work on you. Its like I failed the exam because my parents not pressurized me to study. Its called self-will which is missing in all the clubs in India. East Bengal , Mohun Bagan spend almost 10 cr each season. If they spend 1-1.5 cr less and spend it on Youth development. I don't think, it will hurt them anyway. Club licensing norms are there in the markets from last few years. Could You find any changes among the clubs playing in the I league.Look, your parents can show the gateway of success but ultimately you are master of your own fate.
From AIFF and its state association to the clubs and its fans, everyone is at fault in here and that is the only reason behind the current glut. Instead of pointing fingers at each other, everyone must learn to keep their egos aside and look to develop the game. It's the only way forward. In an ideal world, everyone comes together to develop the game. But the reality is there are way too many fragile egos in administration and only a carefully crafted truce (face-saving exercise) can be of some use.
Comments
Only the Fed can force the clubs to engage the clubs in player building, through rules making it compulsory to have age-group teams and by incentives like waiving entry fees if club have junior team. In other words, Fed should help grow the football eco-system for a kid to take up football.
AIFF failed in this, and failed us as a footballing nation. Only sloganeering 'Let's football' wont win us any laurels.
But AIFF doesn't have money for that, they have money for a stupid tournament where you fly in St.Kitts from across the planet.
In an ideal world, everyone comes together to develop the game. But the reality is there are way too many fragile egos in administration and only a carefully crafted truce (face-saving exercise) can be of some use.