Indian football has a long history and beginning with the emergence of the sport during the British colonial period to the development of the sport today into several high-quality competing leagues with enthusiastic followers and players of the highest international standard. There is no doubt cricket is still the dominate sporting event in India, however, the recent explosion of interest in football in India shows the growth of the sport is growing at a tremendous rate and has taken off. In this blog, we will highlight the history of Indian football and the most important historical points of interest in developing and changing the game in India.
A Brief History of Indian Football
Indian Football has its roots back in the late 1800s when British soliders introduced soccer to India. The first documented game was played in 1854, and from the 1880s onward, clubs started coming together to create a more organized way to play the beautiful game.
Early Clubs and Competitions
In 1889, Mohun Bagan was created and has since been recognized as one of the oldest clubs in all of Asia. The Durand Cup was created in 1888 so it is recognized as the oldest tournament on the continent, while the IFA Shield was opened in 1893. These tournaments were created before India gained independence and helped to increase interest in Indian Football at the time.
The Golden Era of Indian Football (1950s–1960s)
In the 1950s and 1960s the success of India at regional tournaments and competitions established that these decades were indeed considered “The Golden Age” for Football in India, and one of the main reasons was the influence of Syed Abdul Rahim, who served as Head Coach. The success of India on Asian soil and players like PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami highlight the extraordinary power of India’s football program during these years.
Key milestones in the development of Indian football include:
The 1951 & 1962 Asian Games: Gold Medal Winners.
India won its first-ever football gold medal at the 1951 Asian Games and repeated this achievement in 1962.
The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games: Fourth place finish.
India was the first Asian nation to reach the semi-finals in Olympic football, which was a major accomplishment.
Iconic Barefoot Players.
The barefoot players PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and Tulsidas Balaram left an indelible mark on the Indian footballing landscape.
A time of world-class competition.
This period of football in India is considered the time in history when Indian players competed at the highest level internationally.
Major events that transformed Indian football
Over the decades, many significant events and achievements have contributed to the evolution of Indian football from a primarily regional sport to a national sport.
1. Formation of AIFF in 1937
The AIFF is responsible for organising competitions and managing national teams. It is the primary governing body of football in India and laid the groundwork for the modern era of Indian football.
2. Establishment of the NFL in 1996
The NFL unified club football at a national level and was the first step toward the establishment of structured competition in Indian football.
3. Launch of the I-League in 2007
The I-League replaced the NFL and has strengthened professional football in India, bringing new clubs, academies and training systems to the country.
4. Indian Super League (ISL) -2014
The Indian Super League brought significant change to football in India. The ISL:
- Had the opportunity to attract international stars and coaches
- Can provide adequate resources to develop professional team administration
- Has reached millions of viewers
- Has allowed for the establishment of facilities and structures needed for modern football in India
- The impact of the ISL helped rejuvenate interest in Indian football from a mainstream audience.
5. 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup – India
India’s hosting of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup was one of India’s most significant sports accomplishments. By hosting this event, India:
Has improved the quality of stadiums
Has developed interest in football at the youth level
6. Development of Grassroots and Youth Programs
The development of grassroots football, through AIFF academies, and the academies of ISL clubs and the states has strengthened the lower levels of football in India. It has created a new generation of football talent in India.
Highlights of Modern Indian Football
The modern era of football in India is seeing the strongest growth overall in its history, and this growth is indicative of the excitement and passion for Indian football.
1. Sunil Chhetri – The Global Icon
Chhetri is one of the highest goal-scorers in the history of international football and has become the face of modern Indian football to many aspiring young players.
2. Growth of Women’s Football
The Indian Women’s Football program is growing rapidly and receiving international attention through events like the:
SAFF Women’s Championship, AFC competitions
3) Asian Club Success
The success of clubs such as ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC in the AFC Cup and AFC Champions League are enhancing the perception of Indian football to the rest of Asia.
4) Growing Supporter Connection
Supporter Supporter Groups (SSGs) like the Manjappada (Kerala Blasters), West Block Blues (Bengaluru FC) and Mariners Base Camp (Mohun Bagan) are forging a passionate atmosphere surrounding football that rivals any supporter group throughout the world.
Future of Indian Football
The Future for Indian Football is positive. The combination of an increasing number of quality coaches, stronger leagues with increasing quality, improved facilities and infrastructure. The rise of youth talent, has set India up to be consistently competitive at the Asian level and ultimately be a contender on the world stage.
From the glory days of history to the renewed focus of today, Indian Football is written all over the journey and will continue to be written with passion, growth and limitless opportunities.
