The Indian economy apparently revolves around a GDP figure of $4.15 trillion. That rather incomprehensible number places it fifth in terms of the largest economies in the world and also makes it the fastest-growing trillion-dollar economy.
For context, Australia’s GDP sits at around $1.98 trillion, a remarkable number considering the population variation. However, with India’s predicted growth seemingly assured on the back of a surging services sector and its reliance on local manufacturing, the gap between the two will almost certainly expand in the short-term future.
India’s limited dependence on exports, a rising middle class and the subsequent high rate of savings that that encourages has seen it emerge as a world economic powerhouse.
That wealth and prosperity see the largest nation in southern Asia loom as a serious threat in world sport off the back of considerable investment in infrastructure and talent.
With a population of around 1.4 billion, there are plenty of eyeballs to watch and masses of arms and legs to compete in sport and leisure activities. Historically, most of those were drawn to cricket and hockey on a consistent basis. However, the changing face of the new and modern India sees many other once minor sports growing briskly.
Football included.
(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
The history of the beautiful game in India reads quite similar to that of the Australian experience. With the game born in the 19th century and the influence of the establishment of the British Raj in 1858 no doubt playing a vital role in establishing interest and enthusiasm for it. India’s first national competition began in 1888 with the Durand Cup.
Similar to Australia, football remained a sport played within local and state competitions for some time. Any efforts to nationalise the game were thwarted, and it was not until 1996 that the National Football League came to pass.
Eerily similar to the Australian experience, the league was rebranded in 2006 as the I-League. Sadly, despite dreaming big, the attempt to truly professionalise the game fell well short of the vision behind it, and in researching the reasons why, poor promotion and marketing consistently appear as potential reasons.
It sounds all too familiar, doesn’t it?
However, off the back of the burgeoning economy, Indian football was to receive an injection of cash and attention that now appears to likely have triggered its launch into the stratosphere.
The Indian Super League began in 2014 with six teams, of which Atletico de Kolkata claimed the inaugural title. Frankly, the football was a little comical at times, with India’s domestic players well below the standard required and Peter Reid’s bizarre behaviour as manager of Mumbai City FC consistently providing mirth.
Yet the money available to lure overseas players to the competition was considerable, and when former Spanish international Luis Garcia was announced as the league’s first overseas import in July 2014, the pattern had been set.
Since that time the league has expanded to 11 teams. It still features no promotion or relegation, and at the completion of the 2019-20 season it cited 51 per cent growth in viewership based on the previous season’s numbers.
India’s national men’s team currently sits 101st in the FIFA rankings, yet there has been considerable improvement in its local talent after just six seasons of ISL play, and the acquisition of quality players from abroad continues to accelerate that improvement.
Qualifying for World Cup play in 2022 may well be a bridge too far, yet the money invested in football and the continued improvement in the standard of ISL play could well see India become a prime mover when it comes to Asian Confederation football within the next decade.
Importantly, a host of A-League players have recently been lured away from Australia’s shores, a fact that is destined to only further strengthen the ISL and almost certainly weaken experience and quality levels in the A-League.
Former Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna made the move for the 2019-20 season and knocked in 15 goals for the champions. Krishna played alongside A-League veteran David Williams last season and will be joined by Adelaide born Brad Inman for the 2020-21 campaign.
A now 34-year-old Erik Paartalu will continue his long association with Bengaluru, nearing 50 matches for the Blues, and James Donachie recently signed for a loan period in Goa, granted by his new club Newcastle Jets.
Joel Chianese will be in search of goals at Hyderabad and Jacob Tratt will slot into the back four at Odisha FC alongside Englishman and former Wellington Phoenix captain Steven Taylor.
With each of the 11 teams permitted to sign a maximum of seven foreign players and 28 slots still potentially to be filled at the time of writing, the above names may not be the full extent of ex-A-League talent on display in India.
They will join 20 Spaniards playing in the league as well as a smattering of Brazilians, and Australia will now become the fourth most represented nation in the ISL.
Now doubt it is exciting times for the players heading abroad, and the openings for young domestic talent to shine in the A-League are abundant. However, should the pattern continue in coming years as Indian football continues to grow, the ramifications for Australia’s A-League could be significant.
Already assured to spend less this coming season, A-League owners will struggle to hold the talent they want and need. More and more players may well seek new opportunities in India, a place where the competition continues to earn greater respect as each season rolls by.
Winnie the Pooh (Emperor of China)
Guest
Fifa had some special program a while back to improve soccer in India a while back. I still couldn't name a single Indian soccer player. I am sure a few people over there follow it like anywhere else but it will never amount to anything. Not enough space and too hot a climate.
At work
Roar Rookie
It's a start, and as they start performing and getting out of the group stages then clearly there wil be more interest in India.
Gokul Prasad
Roar Rookie
This Year ISL Club FC Goa Participate in ACL
Gokul Prasad
Roar Rookie
No,Man the league will assumed to start on the November 20-23 Here in India, ISL Officials are doing Greater Precautions Even Training Only After 7 Days Quarentine. Tournament will be Run Behind Closed Doors. no chance Of Collapsing League. 100% WITH ALL RESPECT FROM INDIA ❤️
Luke
Guest
Great article Stuart. What is also interesting is that around the same time Australia was pushed by fifa and the afc to fix our problems so was India and know the super league has direct entry to the campion league and the isl has direct entry to the Asian cup witch Australia should also fight for
A Person
Guest
the Womens game in Aus has a few good years left in it but the next generation of Aussie Girls will be going to Play Aussie Rules, Netball or Cricket hell Sam Kerr only Plays Football because there were no way for her to play Aussie Rules professionally when she was growing up
A Person
Guest
AFC Champions League is like the FA Cup or League Cup in that no one who actually has a shot of winning it actually gives a shit about winning it until the R16/QF stages depending on the club
RanjithJo
Guest
Exact reason is most of our people have mobile phone. Thats the reason. Yup some people are in poverty those who dont use cellulor but they cant even afford or dont know to use that public phone too.,,,,,
Punter
Roar Rookie
What's terrible Kanggas? I'm only telling the truth, very few British players in the elite top teams. Don't forget that PL is the biggest & most popular football league in the world, lots of money in Football in England, much much more then Australia. Not surprised they have a decent football team. 1st decent team in the 80s & 90s, they have been in the doldrums for 20 years. But lets put into perspective, their doldrums is much higher then Australia's because they are one of the biggest football countries in the world. Just like Brazil, no world cup wins in since 2002, big hole for them.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
That’s terrible punter. England are ranked 4 in the world. World Cup s f. Have had recent wins over Spain . Could only wish the Socceroos were as bad as England.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
This is true, the cross pollination is often what causes players to decide to come.
At work
Roar Rookie
I think you know why LH, it comes down to clicks and comments. Although the media attention is certainly improving and increasing for Australia's women, so it's trending positively at least.
At work
Roar Rookie
I don't think we should be too worried at the Australian players that are going to India, they're fringe A League players. Them leaving just gives more young Australians the opportunity to play professionbally in Australia.
At work
Roar Rookie
There's a lot of eye balls in India and plenty of cash, so if Indian teams start performing and playing in the ACL, then the TV money could become huge and as such prizemoney goes through the roof (compared to currently).
At work
Roar Rookie
Personally if I was a typical A League player (in their 20's, no kids and living the dream of being a profesisonal footballer), and I was facing a 30% pay cut and uncertain when the league will even restart, and an Indian contract with a payrise came up, then I'd jump at the opportunity to try my hand over there. While I won't downplay COVID, if you're a 20 something and aren't living with older relatives (or other at risj people), then I see it as an acceptable risk.
Punter
Roar Rookie
The times they are a changing. Being a big follower of the English top flight football competition since the 70s, where is was all British players playing, to the 80s & 90s where we started seeing a few foreigners including a small amount of Aussies, then the 00s where now more & more Aussies playing in the English top flight & many other nationalities. I watched Liverpool (best team in England & close to best in world) v Arsenal (while not near the best still among the best sides in England) the other day, there was 5 British players playing in 28 players (including 3 subs on either side). Of these 5 players 4 were defenders & 1 came of the bench. The times they are a changing.
At work
Roar Rookie
I won't begrudge any players who decide to play in the ISL instead of the A League if it means they can earn more money, as long as they're not really good enough to go to a bigger league, because they're more likely to be taken seriously as a player in Australia then in India. The impact to the A League will be at attracting so called aging stars (that may attract media and broad / casual attention), as they may take the easier and bigger cash in India. But I don't see it as a big deal if fringe Australian players go over there as it will mean more young Australian's get a chance to play professionbal football here in Australia.
Evan Askew
Guest
Yes, Australian players will leave the A league to play in India, as they do for China, South Korea, Japan and the middle eastern leagues. But the Chinese have the same word for crisis as they do for opportunity (crisitunity, thanks Simpsons) Another strong Asian league means more opportunities for Ausgtralian players to go abroad, which creates more opportunities for Australian players in the A league. It means more jobs for Australian coaches aborad, which creates more vacnacies for coaches in the A league, future 2nd division and NPL level. It also means more revenue opportunities for A league and NPL clubs in the form of transfer fees and onsell fees.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Tim Are we talking about transfer fees? The majority of players who move overseas do so at the end of their (rather short term) contracts. So yes, the majority do move with zero transfer fees.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Can we ignore Tony Sage as an outlier please. I’m not sure which planet he’s on.