Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: The former captain of Indian soccer team Brahmanand Sagoon Kamat Sankhwalkar was in the city recently to attend the inaugural function of the 2nd T Ao North East International NEC Gold cup. In a brief interaction with The Sentinel Brahmanand, one of the finest goalkeepers that India has ever produced, shared his views on different aspects of Indian football. Here is the excerpt.
TS:Your views on the present status of Indian football.
I think we are doing well. In the junior level All India Football Federation (AIFF) is giving good attention and the scenario has started to change steadily.
TS: Players of North East are now dominating in Indian football. Has it really surprised you?
Not at all. Since long back the north-eastern region has started to produce quality footballers for different clubs of the country and the Indian team. There are several players from the Northeast in the U-17 Indian squad which took part in the FIFA World Cup hosted by India. I feel the region has good patience towards football and it is the prime reason behind the regular flow of quality footballers from this part of India.
TS: ISL puts glamour in Indian football but still it failed to bring crowed at the ground. Your reaction.
I agree. There is reason behind too. The clubs have lost their fan-base due to lack of local stars. It is the crowd which charged us to stay focused on football every time and local crowds’ involvement in a big way happens only when there is local star in the team. I feel the authority of ISL must think the matter seriously and should ensure that each outfit must have at least three to four local stars.
TS: Many feel there is no justification to organize two National League parallel in India. What do you think?
I too think on similar way. There is no justification to run two national Leagues simultaneously. Federation can select either ISL or I- League as the National League and immediately stop the other one.
TS: Share your experience on the rivalry between Goa and Bengal in national football championship during your era.
It can’t describe in a few lines. The entire team became charged when Goa would face Bengal in Santosh trophy or Goan clubs face East Bengal or Mohun Bagan. Every time there was non-stop discussion among the players in the team hotel to find out the strategy on how to overpower the opponent.
TS: ‘Negligence’ from the part of AIFF reduced the popularity of several top-level tournaments of the country like Bordoloi trophy, DCM, Rovers Cup… Do You agree?
It is true that these tournaments have lost glamour because of different reasons. I feel all these tournaments should be revived as these are the championships which produce new players for the local teams.
Also Read: LOCAL SPORTS