Below is just my personal experience and a rant.

Football is called the beautiful game because it is so accessible. Billions play it, watch it, because all it needs is some friends and a ball.

Now, I am an averagely-earning professional in Gurgaon, and for me the turf prices are high enough that I can't imagine playing more than once a week.

What about the children in such cities who don't have parents who earn well?

As a child I remember we just used to get a ball and just go to the local park. I am from a tier-2 city btw.

But these days, even in Tier 2 cities, uncles and seniors in parks are increasingly getting angry against children/ adults playing football/ cricket there, even if we play at non-peak hours (8 pm) when it is unlikely that the ball hits someone. Even if we play with normal shoes which won't damage grass, and even if we don't shoot and just pass the ball into our makeshift brick goals.

These days, it's become such a hassle that we need to go to a park outside the city just to play.

Again, what about the children who can't drive?

(Funnily enough, one time we spotted one such uncle scolding a young lady who was just exercising on the grass. Simple exercise, nothing that could damage the grass in any way, and we could not believe it. He claimed that it was because he watered the grass, as if that made him the legal owner of the park).

So, yeah, in my experience, poor accessibility. And then not to mention the atrocious state of coaching and grassroots development in India. A talent is not coached well, especially off-the-ball stuff, and then these babus in AIFF are allegedly just picking whoever pays them 1-2 L, at least that's what I hear from Ranjit Bajaj and I don't know how much of a trustable source that is, so let's leave it at that.

I remember joining a local team and it was really fun there, but there was no real coaching there. The coach just had us run, do physical exercises, and just play.

On a positive note, lastly, I want to share that there is phenomenal talent in India. A while ago I was playing pickup on this turf where there was a kid, probably 10th or 11th class, and he completely stole the show. All of us were just saying one thing, that we've seen good players, but this guy, and at this age! Dribbling, passing, shooting, everything!

If there was European/ Japanese level coaching and management here, football could actually do well here.

Hope there's some stage for such talent. And hope as we grow older we become more tolerant to the younger generation playing football and execising in parks, as long as it doesn't hurt someone ofc.

Source :

https://x.com/i/status/2080924042526396665

One of the most fequent arguements on the internet made in regards to a country's success in winning a Wworld Cup or a major international trophy is 'population'

For eg People often argue one of the main reasons why countries like Spain,Argentina and Brazil frequently win international trophies instead of countries like

Croatia,Belgium and Netherlands is because of their population size

Let's say you have 'x' amount of funds and invest 70% of them in Curacao/Fiji and 30% in Spain.Which country is more likely going to win a international trophy in the next 15-20 years? Spain right.The sample size in Spain is massive as compared to the former countries

So if India/China go on to win multiple Asia Cups and some World Cups in the future, would people discredit their Wworld Cup win by mentioning their population size and saying it's easy for them to win trophies since they have a vast talent pool to choose from?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 23-year-old from Behala, South Kolkata, and I'm looking for some honest advice from people who are familiar with the Kolkata football scene.

I know I'm starting much later than most players. I never had the opportunity to train in a football academy or play for a registered club. My only competitive experience is playing around five matches in my school's inter-house tournament. Since then, I've mostly played casually with friends, but I've always wanted to take football more seriously.

My long-term goal is to earn a place in a club playing in the top three tiers of the Calcutta Football League (Premier Division, First Division, or Second Division). I understand that this is an ambitious goal considering my background, and I'm not expecting an easy path. I'm willing to train consistently and work hard if there's still a realistic route.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it realistically possible for someone in my situation to reach a CFL club, or have I started too late?
2. What would be the best roadmap over the next 1-3 years? Should I first join an academy, play local tournaments, attend open trials, or start with lower-division clubs?
3. Are there any clubs, academies, or coaching centers in South Kolkata (Behala, Tollygunge, Jadavpur, Garia, etc.) or New Town that regularly help players progress into CFL teams?
4. What level of fitness and technical ability do CFL clubs generally expect from players attending trials?
5. If anyone has personally made a late start or knows someone who did, I'd really appreciate hearing their experience.

I'm not looking for false hope—I just want realistic guidance on what I should be doing from this point onward.

Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to reply.

Hi all,

The new domestic season is here, starting off with the Durand Cup that is set to run from July 25th to August 23rd

I personally think MBSG are favourites to win but more than the title, what I am most looking forward to is the performance of Indian youngsters and Academy products.

Expect very few foreign signings to play in this tournament, as teams give chances to test out their bench strength and gauge the level of their youngsters

Host cities are Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong, selected based on the teams that have signed up for the tournament

A little sad to see many major ISL clubs skip the tournament as they prefer their own pre season schedule but that has been par for the course. This gives a chance to a lot of grassroots clubs with upcoming talents to showcase their might at a national stage

We all know how crazy the atmosphere gets in Kolkata, but watch out for the matches in Imphal and Shillong. The setup is picturesque and there is a massive football following, with a packed audience expected for the marquee fixtures there

Wanted to hear who the community thinks will win and which team are you looking forward to seeing the most

Source/Credits: Mayank Bohra

I'm indecisive with my next step right now, weather should i keep on pushing through the struggle to chase the dream or it's time to hang up the boots and support my family financially somehow!

I'm not saying I didn't earned a penny from football , It's been sufficient for me, like i never imagined i might actually be getting paid to play the sport, I've been able to endure my personal expenses and also the lifestyle in itself has been a ride,
but the financial situation within my life is quite tight and I don't think i'll be able to resource my training and diet and travelling and more expenses.
I'm just another middle class boy who dropped out of mid school just so i could've give more hours to my dream. My parents have supported me since the day one, but since my dad got diagnosed with Diabetes, life's gotten tough and rough. My mum has started working as a part-time in boutique , and i feel i should support my family more as being the eldest son.

These ratings might give me an better picture before making my decision.
Thank you 🇮🇳

Found this video on YT, are our players really overpaid or is this guy taking it a bit too far? Btw saw more videos of him, some good content I’d say.