Now that our NFL Division I and Division II are firmly established it is time for the AIFF to start thinking big. Such big thinking is required if we want to build a powerful football unit to play against the best in the world. The current NFL has shown that Indian goal keepers, midfielders and defenders are getting better exposure to display their talents. But there are not many strikers to count on save for the peerless Baichung. This year too the top goal scorers have been Africans and Brazilians. The AIFF needs to select a set of Indian strikers and offer them opportunities abroad against tougher oppositions and on different grounds other than only Fatorda Margao, Salt Lake Kolkota, with a single annual visit each to Chennai, Mumbai and Ludhiana. Our cricketers are doing well and with the enormous international exposure they get, they are able to adjust their game to international standards. Infact they are laying new and fresh standards all the time for the rest of the world to follow. We look forward to plenty of good things from our AIFF, BCCI and the IHF in these times of intense globalization and multiple expectations !
Bhutia is too good a talent to be wasted for playing for the miniscule clubs like East Bengal 'n Mohan bagan or FC Bury.His impetuous speed 'n lightning reflexes coupledup with those mighty headers are no less than those of the widely bandied Bekham's and the Owen's.European clubs should start looking at the asian talent with some respect now.It is time that asians get the right opportunities at the international level too.Else, we know that talent without an opportunity is a waste!
