INDIANS NOT THAT GOOD IN PHYSICALLY-DEMANDING SPORTS

Indians “for some strange reasons” are not good in sports that are physically demanding and therefore excel in cricket, archery and shooting, observed ace Indian footballer, Baichung Bhutia here today.

“For some strange reasons Indians do not fare very well in physically demanding sports like football and hockey and does well therefore in sports like cricket, archery, shooting etc. I can’t pin point the reasons why,” Bhutia, who is here participating for his team United Sikkim in the second division I-league football tournament, said.

He said players like Arjuna Ranatunga and Inzamam-ul-Haq can never be superstars in football like they are in cricket. “In cricket it’s mostly about technique and once that aspect is fulfilled, anyone like Arjuna Ranatunga or Imzamum-ul-Haq can be superstars.Bhutia's observation about Imzamum-ul-Haq brings back memories of the Pakistani batting superstar's brawl with the crowds in Toronto, Canada years ago.

The crowd constantly taunted Inzamam ul Haq during a Indo-Pak match calling him over the loudspeaker: ""O mote, sidha khara ho [O fatso, stand straight], mota aaloo, sara alloo [fat potato, rotten potato]."


“In a physically demanding sport like football or hockey for example, anyone who is not 100 per cent physically fit would not make the cut in a team, let alone becoming a superstar,” the former Indian football captain said while making his observation on physical fitness apart from technique.

Asked why Indian football has not been successful so far, Bhutia said the structure to develop and popularise football in India is archaic. “We are still following the football structure from the 1950s. Most of those at helm of affairs of football don’t know a thing about what they are doing,” Bhutia said critically.

He added Indian football can be developed if emphasis is shifted on youth development, especially those from the northeast, and better marketing. “The Indian football structure needs a drastic overhaul in terms of marketing and youth development programmes,” Bhutia suggested.

On his upcoming football academy, Bhutia promised it would be the best in India once the Sikkim government allots land for its development.

“I have applied for land and once the Sikkim government allots it, the academy would be the best in the country with the support of my well wishers,” he said.