Interview Interview

Interview with Sepp Blatter | Interview with Mohammed Bin Hammam | Interview with Bob Houghton

India must Wake up : Hammam

Face to Face interview with Rafique Sattar (Executive Editor of Kick-Off) at kolkata during U-20 AFC CUP

Compiled by : Tanmoy Mukherjee

Hammam : Media plays a big role in improving football. Just before, in the press conference, you have seen that there is a big board at the back of the stage. You must have noticed that on the board there are logos of the sponsors of the Asian Football Confederation. Among the sponsors, there are, Fly Emirates, Epson - such big names. Those viewing the board, may think that the pivot points of Asian Football is limited in the East and West Asia because Epson which is a computer-oriented company has its main branches spread over the China, Japan and South Korea, and Fly Emirates is the airlines company of the Arab Emirates. Now tell me, are there no representatives in the Asian Football from the vast space between East and West Asia?

Is there no Football in India, Bangladesh or in the middle-east countries? But the actual fact is not that. In India, there are some football clubs which are among the oldest clubs in Asia. Here in India, I just came to know, that one of the most popular football league takes place every year. Then, tell me why, there is not a single logo of Indian sponsors in the logo board of AFC? Well, the reason is, football is not so popular in this region. It is undoubtedly true that the Business houses place advertisement there where they can get some mileage other than some social issues. Rightin this situation the media should come forward and may take a great role in promoting and popularizing a game or a tournament. During the World Cup football, the amount of news and information published in the media makesit clear that football is very popular here in India. At the same time it is also true that football in foreign countries is much more popular, than local football.

Media should aware the general people that in other countries' football league is played in the same way. The best players from the world plays in European football league that we watch in the TV and therefore the game becomes more appealing. But it is not true that all the leagues in all the countries' are as good. Club culture is the most important thing in the football in all countries all the time. Media should broadcast this with more importance.

Actually this is the first time we are trying to improve the standard of the Asian football in an organized way. This is the very beginning. It is true that the standard of Indian football is not very good but at the same time it is also true that there are a lot of football geniuses here.

The problem is in the infrastructure. India is a large country. Until now, no arrangements were made to mark the places and upload them. We are trying to do that. As for example players from North-East India especially from Manipur, have skills, structure of the body and interest in football is not less than that of Japan or Korea. What they lack is scientific training. We are trying to impart scientific training to them. We are also interested to the players of Western India. At the same time Jath and Pathans of India have body structure for European power football.

We are trying to make training centers near Delhi. We hope if we could make this process successful, our dream to see India at World Cup arena will come true.

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  THE WAY OF THINKING SHOULD ALWAYS BE POSITIVE :          BOB HOUGHTON

The Chief Coach of Indian National Football Team Mr. Bob Houghton expressed his views to the reporter or KICK-OFF Magazine Mr.Sabyasachi Mullick about Indian football.

Kick-Off:What is your impression about the present Indian Football ?

Coach : Well! It is too early to make any comments.I need some more time before giving a full picture of the Indian Football.But what I can say is the problems I have confronted from the date of taking over the charge of Indian National Football Team,the reserve bench is not equipped with competent players.If any player of the first eleven gets injured, the proper substitute is hardly available.The reason is not that there is dearth of genious footballers in India but there is lackof proper arrangement to spot them.

 Kick-Off : What arrangement you propose to pick up the talented Footballers ?

Coach : It would better try to start it from the end.I have observed in the National Coaching Camp that players practise faultly chest trapping,some turn to the left side and some to the right side.But the internationally admitted system is that after chest trapping,the ball should drop down just in front of the foot of the receiving player.Here very few players are seen practising this advantageous system.On the other hand they are receiving the ball by chest and terning to the right or left and ihe the sequel the ball after being recocheted received by the opponent player in most of the cases.

 Kick-Off : Does this happen in regular manner?

Coach :In fact,I think the boys receive coaching in different coaching camps in different manner and as aresult they learn trapping and shooting in different ways.

 Kick-Off : How this type of coaching system be changed?

Coach : The only remady I can suggest is to introduced uniform code of coaching system throughout the country.

 Kick-Off : It has been learnt that you are not happy with the coaching camps playing grounds and other inrastructure in some case ?

Coach : Exactly.perhaps they are not atall nearer to the International standard.But I think there is no use commenting over these shortcomings,we should make proper utilization of the resources,we have had in our hands at present.Simulteneously linear coaching system has to be introduced to ensure supply lines of good footballers so theat the quality team be formed in future.

 Kick-off : We should definitely show politive mental attitude in line with what you suggest.But in spite of that are you hopeful that India may qualify to play in the World Cup in near future?

Coach : See! World cup is a very big affair.Initially we should comtemplate on Asian Level and thereafter it would be better to go up step by step.

 Kick-Off : In which aspect The Indian Football is lacking ?

Coach : The Indian Footballers are not lacking in skill but they are lacking in Strength and Stamina.Individual game should be stopped .On the other hand the wings should be properly used in order to strengthen the attacking front.This coaching should be start from the very initial level of each footballers of the country.

Kick-Off : Do you think it possible to introduce linear coaching system in India where people of different language,races,relegions,culture live?

 Coach : I know it very well about Indian culture.But we should go ahead with positive thinking inspite of these prevailing difficulties.

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Exclucive Interview taken by World Famous Sports Historian Dr. Boria Mazumder and Compiled by Mr.Sabyasachi Mullick

In Zurich as part of the delegation to present the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, the International Journal of the History of Sport award, I asked him about the Indian subcontinent. Firstly, a hi tech 21st century office, it was fascinating to see replicas of all the age group world cups displayed all round. As my colleague Tony Mangan put it, "The building is a futuresque Kafka!!"

Ranked 157th in the world, it is difficult to even broach India at the hallowed head quarters of football's governing body.
However, Blatter surprised me when he mentioned that India was part of FIFA's vision document for the near future and it wants to tackle the problem of Indian football head on. It was indeed fascinating to know that India ranks fairly high in FIFA's priority list in the near future. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Boria : Does India really matter to FIFA? We languish at 140 in the world rankings yet the passion for the game is intense. How do you view India?

Sepp Blatter : To use a footballing term, tackle, we intend to tackle the question of India in the next few months. In fact, an Indian delegation led by the AIFF President Priyaranjan Dasmunshi is due to visit FIFA on 19-20 December and discuss threadbare possible mechanisms of collaboration. This will be followed by a visit of the FIFA President to India in February where he plans to outline the FIFA vision for the Indian subcontinent. India, Blatter contends, is a sleeping giant that now needs to be awakened. Far more than performances on the ground, football, FIFA feels, can be used as a mode of life to help alleviate several problems of Indian day to day life.

Boria : Do you know that when the world cup was played in Germany almost the entire Indian nation had come to a standstill. Normal routine of work was disrupted with people watching live games in the evening and highlights in the morning?

Sepp Blatter: Football is a world passion and it is great to know that people in India love their football like this. I know it is not the number one sport in the country. Cricket is number one there but we are determined to help Indian football come up. I have already had a rather fruitful meeting with the Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee in Germany during the world cup and FIFA is rather keen to work hands on with the Indian government. If football can do a great job in China , Japan and Korea , not to mention Brazil and Argentina , there's no reason why India should lag behind.

Boria : What about Africa? The next FIFA world cup will be played in Africa. We in India often feel that socio-economic and political conditions in Africa is not much different from that of India's. If Africa can, why can't we?

Sepp Blatter : Indeed. The whole purpose in giving the world cup to Africa was to get this message across to the world that football is much more than a mere game. Of course it is entertainment for the masses of soccer fans and it gives great fillip to nationalism all over the world, but it is far more than anything else a way of life, a culture that aims to unite the world. And India is very much a part of this vision. All the differences in a diverse country like India can be overcome with the help of passions like soccer.

Boria : Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi is by profession a politician. He is also President of the AIFF. Do you think he can do justice to his job?

Sepp Blatter : I know Mr. DasMunshi well enough to say that he is extremely passionate about Indian football and is very keen to develop football in India. In fact, I would say that because he is a politician and a member of parliament he should find it simpler to get things done. He is leading the India delegation to Zurich in December and we plan to accomplish much during the visit.

Boria : We have heard you plan to come to India in the near future, in early 2007, Is this true?

Sepp Blatter : Yes, I have plans touring the subcontinent in February 2007. The dates are not final yet but surely the planning is on. It will indeed be a very exciting trip for me. With all its diversities and knowing about its passion for football, it will be lovely to go to India. And your national league will then be on I am told. May I can I will watch a game as well.

Boria : You are an accomplished sports administrator. This award too is in recognition of your services. What is the most defining moment of his career?

Sepp Blatter : The most poignant moment of my life came when I visited some of the Tsunami afflicted areas and handed footballs to the children. The way a few of them embraced the ball was just amazing. It was not a mere ball, which is kicked around for joy, it was their life. This is what we aim to achieve. Far more than providing entertainment for people and championing nationalism for nations, we view football as a mode of life, as a culture that will help bring the world closer together. And this is where India comes in as well.

Boria : What do you feel about issues of Fair Play and cheating?

Sepp Blatter : Extremely serious. Cheating is surely there because people want the laurels. This is what makes Fair Play even more important. If you see the official FIFA flag you will see how concerned we are about Fair Play. At this point, Blatter presented us with the commemorative gold medal distributed to the two world cup finalists, Italy and Germany . A terrific piece of handiwork, we were moved.

Boria : Thanks a ton for this. A much treasured thing for me.

Sepp Blatter : Yes, they were bleeding in Germany for this. What a world cup it was and the players were all giving it their very best. Such intense competition is what makes football the most loved passion of the world.

Boria : Football, more than anything else, unites the world. What do you feel about this?

Sepp Blatter : You are right. The United Nations has 192 members. We, in FIFA, have 202. This is a matter of great pride and also great responsibility. We have to run the sport well to ensure that this passion grows further. At the same time we will have to harness this passion well to serve society.

Boria: Not always do academics recognize sports administrators. What do you feel about the award?

Sepp Blatter : As I have said before, I and the entire FIFA family is honoured that IJHS has given me this award. It is a privilege for us all. Thank you.

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