Changing times for Indian football

NEW DELHI, August 29: There were days when AIFF officials would call up journalists in general and sports journalists in particular and ensure whether they were coming that evening to watch the football match.
But on Wednesday it is a different ball game. The phones have not stopped ringing at the AIFF office. The officials’ mobiles have been flooded with requests for an entry to Wednesday’s final.But one thing is for sure, that even VIPs will have to stand and watch the final of the ONGC Nehru Cup that is being played between India and Syria at the Ambedkar stadium.
Times have changed as Indian football is all set to enter the big stage. India had a good run at the ONGC cup improving its performance match by match. Bhutia and his boys displayed class and style beating Kyrgyzstan in the semi-final. With Bob Houghton at the helm and Bhaichung’s boys raring to go, there will be a mad rush at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday when India take on Syria in the final of the ONGC Nehru Cup.
"This is a very good thing for Indian football", says Dr. Shaaji Prabhakaran an AIFF official and in-charge of the all India grassroots programme.
"I wish the stadium was bigger", says Shaaji. He adds, "Ambedkar stadium can only accommodate 15000 seats and out of which 4000 have been given out as complimentary passes. But the hundreds and thousands of requests is only proof that Indian football is getting popular. This is a great morale booster for the team and the game in India."
It is going to be tough even for those who would reach the stadium hours earlier to buy tickets.
India will go into the final with full of confidence. Syria knows that they have already beaten India in a previous match. But Houghton will have a different strategy on Wednesday. And the home crowd will be there to root for India.
But what is certain is that the organisers will have a tough time to keep the football fans at bay.