Former India captain and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly believes Indian football needs regular exposure to top-quality international opposition if the sport is to make meaningful progress.
With footballing giants such as Brazil, Uruguay and Panama set to visit India, Ganguly sees the upcoming fixtures as an important opportunity for Indian players to test themselves against stronger teams and gain valuable experience at the highest level.
“It’s good. Why wouldn’t it be good to play football against big teams?” Sourav Ganguly said when asked about the importance of such international fixtures for Indian football.
However, the former India captain stressed that matches against top sides should not be limited to occasional fixtures or special events. He believes Indian footballers need consistent opportunities throughout the year to compete against stronger opposition.
“This needs to happen throughout the year so that players get proper exposure. I always believe that playing against teams better than yourself helps improve your own game,
” he said.
Ganguly drew a parallel with Indian cricket, pointing out that regular competition against world-class teams has played an important role in the country’s development across formats and conditions.
“Look at cricket, they play against top-quality teams all year round, which is why they get better. The same approach needs to be applied here,
” he said.
The former India captain also expressed hope that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) would continue working towards building a stronger and more consistent international calendar for Indian football.
Having spent more than a decade representing India against some of the world’s best cricket teams, Ganguly believes the same principle can benefit Indian football. For him, regular exposure to stronger opposition is essential for players to raise their standards and improve their game.
While the visits of teams such as Brazil and Uruguay offer Indian footballers a valuable chance to experience elite-level competition, Ganguly’s larger message is clear: such opportunities need to become a regular part of India’s footballing journey, rather than remain isolated occasions.
(AIFF)
