New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia Thursday said it was for the state associations, clubs and federations to build up Indian football and not rely on outside help.
Bhutia speaking on the sidelines of an Etihad and Jet Airways Manchester City football clinic here, said it was great that international clubs are coming to India but the growth in the sport needs to take place indigenously.
"Clubs, state associations and federations need to get serious and promote football. It is our job and no one else's to make the game grow and produce better players," Bhutia told reporters.
"It is great that foreign clubs are taking an interest here. Yes, they need to come here and stay longer, one-two weeks stint doesn't help us much but we can't rely on just them," he added.
Alex Williams, Manchester City's Community Ambassador and a former goalkeeper for the English club in the 1980s, hoped that the four-day stay in Mumbai and a day-clinic here would have given the kids some insight into professional coaching.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed or stay in Mumbai and Delhi and hope that our service to the kids would have helped them."
"All children are the same whether they be in England or India, we need to make them have fun. Hopefully in the coming years we will play a bigger part in promoting the game here," said Williams.
Speaking about the form of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Alex said the 26-year-old was a talented keeper but was going through a lean phase.
"Hart is a very talented keeper and I am sure he will go on and do really well in his career, he's just going through a lean phase."
When asked about how his current form was affecting Hart's chances to be included in the England squad for the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Williams said: "He obviously needs to play more, it could be a big problem for England if he goes into the World Cup without any match practice."
|
|
Comments:
