No play, no gain: Two coaches have a radical fix for the crisis in Indian football

2 months ago 32

The final episode of Let’s Talk About: Indian Football highlights a stark reality. The domestic game is trapped between a lack of professional infrastructure and a massive deficit in competitive matches. Abhinandan Sekhri speaks to Ishfaq Ahmed, head coach of Real Kashmir FC, and Pradhyum Reddy, fresh from coaching the Philippines U-17 girls’ national team, to diagnose the structural rot keeping India off the world stage. Ahmed emphasises that the ‘spine’ of a footballing nation is its youth system, which in India is severely under-equipped. He points out that India has fewer than 100 pro-licensed coaches for a population of 1.4 billion, largely because the qualification process is financially draining. A coach must spend roughly Rs 18 lakh to Rs 20 lakh out of their own pocket to earn all licenses, often with no guarantee of a stable job. Ahmed argues that “a good coach can make one or two good players, and a not-so-good coach can destroy 10 talented boys.” He advocates a professional pyramid in which top-tier coaches are hired at the grassroots level, not just for senior teams. Reddy, however, offers a contrarian view, noting that states like Maharashtra have many pro and A-licensed coaches but produce few players, while talent-rich Manipur and Mizoram have the fewest. To Reddy, the primary failure is “mileage”. While youth in developed football nations play 40+ games a year, Indian kids often play far fewer. He notes, “You can’t go to school for one day a week and expect to graduate... It’s about the number of reps they’ve had.” Without these games, he argues that players never develop the ‘football intelligence’ to compete at the highest levels. Both experts agree that the current league structure is insufficient; Ahmed calls for a longer season to ensure 35–40 matches annually. But Reddy adds that “trickle-down economics doesn't work in sports,” suggesting that instead of waiting for the ISL to fix things, India must focus on hyperlocal “hotspots” like the Northeast and Kerala. He also dismisses many ISL players as “overpaid prima donnas”, citing a massive mismatch between their inflated wages and actual quality. Finally, Reddy warns that rampant age fraud masks technical deficiencies. Over-aged players rely on physical bullying that vanishes after the U-17 level. Ultimately, the solution lies in more games, affordable coaching pathways, and genuine professionalism. Watch this interview. Produced by Ashish Anand. Edited by Satish Kumar. Subscribe to Newslaundry: https://rzp.io/rzp/nlsm Power our election coverage: https://rzp.io/rzp/zTQadhQFFT Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.