The children of the previous generation were discouraged from pursuing football as a career, even if they had the talent. After all, even in the best-case scenario, they would get into the national football team yet not get enough matches to prove themselves. And the matches they did play weren’t against quality teams. However, the most detrimental aspect that stopped people from pursuing football was the inability to generate enough revenue to sustain themselves and their families. Players from India did still pursue football, but it was only out of pure passion for the game. That was until ISL came to the scene.
Following the rampant success and exponential growth of the nation’s cricket league – IPL, it seemed very likely that a football league could have similar success. Sure, cricket was worshipped in India and football didn’t have nearly the same fan following, but a league with good viewership and sponsors could ensure football wouldn’t be a wasted pursuit of a career, and that could bring more people to pursue the game, which would bring professional and improved training facilities, and finally a great crop of players that can make a name for their country and themselves. India could find themselves to be competing with the best of the best in world football.
Okay, probably a bit of wishful thinking, but that’s the ISL effect. Over a decade after its inception, it has changed the landscape of Indian football. Indian footballers now get a chance to play with genuine foreign talents, who have played in renowned leagues like the Premier League, and to learn from them is an opportunity most wouldn’t have dreamed of years ago. Talent has always been there in India, we are the most populated country in the world so there is always going to be abundant talent. But ISL has given Indian football what it didn’t have before- hope. The hope for new beginnings and to reach summits that were unprecedented before.
To say ISL has had the same success as the IPL has had would be inaccurate, but its impact is game-changing, literally. IPL added immensely to cricket’s flame, but the ISL lit the flame for India’s footballing future. With the number of states playing increasing to ten and the league spanning almost half a year, players are kept busy and every year the quality of football seems to be on the rise. And when the quality of football increases, the viewership will find its way to the ISL. But looking at how far we’ve come, there is definite cause for celebration. And the only way from here is up.
Image Credits – @SK_IndFootball on X
