Bhaichung Bhutia Urges AIFF to Focus on Grassroots Football Amid Controversies
Former Indian football captain, Bhaichung Bhutia, has called on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to move past its controversies and concentrate on grassroots development. The AIFF has faced issues like alleged corruption involving its president, Kalyan Chaubey, and former coach Igor Stimac’s controversial decisions. Bhutia believes that focusing on developing young talent is crucial for the future of Indian football.
Bhutia emphasized the importance of academies in nurturing young players and criticized the federation for being embroiled in controversies. He stated, “The federation should focus on developing real talent and making more kids come and play.” He also supported Stimac’s view on giving young players international exposure, noting that success at junior levels is essential for the national team’s performance.
Bhutia highlighted the recent failure of India’s under-20 team to qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2025 as a sign of the need for stronger grassroots programs. He stressed the importance of implementing the federation’s vision at the grassroots level and pointed out the challenges faced by state associations due to limited resources.
He concluded by saying that while the federation has a vision, it is crucial to implement it effectively at the grassroots level to ensure the development of future football stars.
Doubts Revealed
Bhaichung Bhutia -: Bhaichung Bhutia is a famous Indian football player who used to be the captain of the Indian national team. He is well-known for his skills and contributions to Indian football.
AIFF -: AIFF stands for the All India Football Federation. It is the organization that manages and oversees football activities in India, including national teams and tournaments.
Grassroots Football -: Grassroots football refers to the basic level of football where young players start learning and playing the game. It involves training and developing young talent to become better players in the future.
Controversies -: Controversies are situations where there are disagreements or problems, often involving accusations of wrongdoing. In this context, it refers to issues like alleged corruption within the AIFF.
Igor Stimac -: Igor Stimac is a former football player and coach who was the head coach of the Indian national football team. He is known for his efforts to improve the team by giving young players more opportunities.
International Exposure -: International exposure means giving players the chance to play in matches or tournaments outside their own country. This helps them gain experience and improve their skills by competing against teams from other countries.
State Associations -: State associations are organizations that manage football activities within a specific state in India. They work under the AIFF to promote and develop football at the local level.
