Asian Games preparation: Football

The first Asian games is a about a year away, starting from 3rd March 1952, to be held in New Delhi, India. It will happen every five years, rotating between the members of the Asian Games.

The permanent members of the Asian Union: India, Indonesia, Japan are in the committee right now, and it was decided that India will be the first host due to able infrastructure in comparison to the other countries.

India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Ceylon, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, China(PRC) and Iran have accepted the invitation untill now. Besides USSR, every coubtry in Asia is invited, even Israel and Palestine.

USSR is perceived as an European country afterall.

In the first ever Asian Games, only 6 events will happen for both men and women:

1. Football

2. Kabaddi

3. 100m race

4. 400m race

5. 800m relay race

6. Weight-lifting

The preparations have begun, and Satyankar is today in Kolkata to look over the All India Football Federation(AIFF).

India is currently the best country in Football in Asia. But, due to the board members not taking it seriously, treating it as to only hobby, the situation will worsen to the point that Afghanistan with Talibani occupation, with almost non-existent infrastructure and money for football, beat India.

It's not like India doesn't have any talent. With so many people, India can be a major team in every sport, if not dominate almost every sport.

But the problem is corruption and poor management.

India was once called Brazil of Asia in football.

India was once a champion in hockey.

India, even after being the richest cricket player, always chokes and has only won the world cup two times.

The involvement of businessmen and politicians who have no enthusiasm about the sport, and only in money, is the cause of the absolutely horrible position of India in sports, even compared to small countries like Japan and South Korea, much less China.

"Rahim ji, teach the kids to start playing with shoes, in 90 minute format. From April to June, United Football League(UFL) will start. Teams from every state will participate. Keep an eye on talented kids."

"PM ji, football should be played with foot."

"I understand. But we have to keep up with international standards. Playing without shoes will be banned sooner or later.

How about this? Let the team you have been preparing for Olympics try things with, and without shoes in the practice matches. I can guarantee that playing with shoes is better.

And don't worry about any extra cost. Juta will sponsor football shoes for the whole Indian team. And many private companies will sponser for the UFL."

Rahim was skeptical, but agreed to atleast see the difference between wearing and not wearing shoes.

Juta has completed the task for releasing Indian feet sizes. Compared to the Europeans and Americans, Indians have wider feet. It is a wonder why nobody thought about fixing it for more than 75 years.

Football shoes of various sizes were presented to the Indian team, and as they practiced, they could feel that using shoes was better. Even Rahim was surprised.

"How!? All the shoes I tried before were uncomfortable..."

Oh... so the foreign sizes were a reason for not using shoes.

"These shoes are made for Indian feet. So, what do you say?"

Rahim pondered over a bit, and nodded.

"These will work. But... can you increase funding too?"

And there it was. Before the cricket match of India vs South Africa, most of the sports suffered because of not knowing how to make money. But, this is going to change.

"You don't have to worry. With UFL, not only football for India will become self-sufficient, it will even make surplus money for creating football stadiums across the country."

"How? Wouldn't conducting such an event just use money? How can we earn?"

"The UFL will be broadcasted on All India Radio, and DD Sports. There will be ads in between, and 50% of the add revenue will be given to the IFA. Plus, various sponsers, ads in the stadium, on the players' jerseys, etc., all will earn money."

"Really?"

"Yes. And there are going to be various changes in the structuring of IFA. And you are going to be a board member."

"Nah. I am happy with just being a coach."

"Please? Among all of us, you are the one who knows about football the best. We can't do this without you."

"...Fine."

"Good. Let's discuss about the UFL now."

The entire AIFF was restructured based on interviews, and a structure similar to European football and mix of IPL was installed.

Each club within a state will keep having their matches throughout the year.

Then, UFL will have qualifiers for each state, and only the top 8 teams will be selected. And the top 8 will compete in the UFL.

From UFL, Indian team will be made.

AIFF was renamed IFA(Indian Football Association), which will be a public-private organisation, with board members comprising of the coaches of the qualifying teams of UFL, coach of Indian team, good players who retire, head of management, and a CEO chosen by election of the board of 15 members.

And the coaches can be vetoed out by the players if coach is bad, in all levels.

With this, India was set for UFL, and to be ready for Asian Games and Olympics next year, and FIFA world cup in 1954.

*Thank you for the warm support!