Why I'm quitting #IndianFootball
LONG THREAD🧵
Having given my all for the development of football in India for almost a decade - with my writing, content, research and grassroots work - I feel I cannot continue to work in an environment which does not want to help itself grow
LONG THREAD🧵
Having given my all for the development of football in India for almost a decade - with my writing, content, research and grassroots work - I feel I cannot continue to work in an environment which does not want to help itself grow
There are many reasons for this decision, some of which I will try to explain with the perspective of someone who has been on both sides of #IndianFootball - as a sports journalist for @toisports and @sportstarweb , and as the Media Manager of @IndianFootball and @sreenidideccan
After India's disastrous #AFCAsianCup2023 campaign, there was a scathing inquest carried out (and rightfully so) by @7negiashish , @DhanrajDhurve , @ArkaTweets1 and @_inkandball_ and others which broke something in me about #IndianFootball despite knowing the systemic shambles
Let me start with my sector - Media
What @7negiashish faced at the #AFCAsianCup2023 in Qatar with regards to a lack of accessibility to players and staff for coverage is actively encouraged at AIFF.
With respect to media coverage of #IndianFootball , beggars can't be choosers.
What @7negiashish faced at the #AFCAsianCup2023 in Qatar with regards to a lack of accessibility to players and staff for coverage is actively encouraged at AIFF.
With respect to media coverage of #IndianFootball , beggars can't be choosers.
Controlling the narrative is one thing but denying access to those fair and few who want to give coverage goes against the Federation's core objective of developing and promoting #IndianFootball
FSDL's control - especially in non-ISL matters - actively thwarts any promotion.
FSDL's control - especially in non-ISL matters - actively thwarts any promotion.
For eg. the media regulations during the 2021-22 I-League bio-bubble season allowed us to release only 20 match photos and 1 minute highlights footage to each team.
Only 3-4 teams out of 13 had photographers so they were completely reliant on this for content during the season.
Only 3-4 teams out of 13 had photographers so they were completely reliant on this for content during the season.
Another issue I raised with the AIFF Media Team was during the #KalingaSuperCup with regards to the content posted from the I-League Instagram account.
From January 8 when the tournament began until after the final, almost all content was that of ISL teams (mostly collab posts).
From January 8 when the tournament began until after the final, almost all content was that of ISL teams (mostly collab posts).
The ISL account is already doing its bit to promote its 12 teams. Couldn't the I-League cater to its 4 representatives?
I was told that there is no manpower so we are just accepting collab requests, and the #IndianFootball account was solely focusing on the #AFCAsianCup2023
I was told that there is no manpower so we are just accepting collab requests, and the #IndianFootball account was solely focusing on the #AFCAsianCup2023
Let's talk about the #ILeague - the AIFF's supposed flagship venture
- Zero transparency
- Zero planning
- Poor quality production & bad commentary
- Bare minimum media promotion
- Outdated Match Regulations
- Clueless Match Commissioners
Is this even professional football?
- Zero transparency
- Zero planning
- Poor quality production & bad commentary
- Bare minimum media promotion
- Outdated Match Regulations
- Clueless Match Commissioners
Is this even professional football?
Zero Transparency - Why did the AIFF Disciplinary Committee not feel the need to inform Sreenidi that the 8-match and 4-match bans of Mohammedan SC's 2 most important players have been revoked 24 hrs before kick off? The bans itself were never made public in the first place. Why?
When asked by @KhelNow , Committee replied "Sreenidi are not party to this decision, why should we inform them?"
The 8-match ban for Kasimov was for allegedly attempting to headbutt the ref! The ban for an offence like this getting reduced from 8 to just 2? And the timing of it?
The 8-match ban for Kasimov was for allegedly attempting to headbutt the ref! The ban for an offence like this getting reduced from 8 to just 2? And the timing of it?
Zero Planning - Why is a team from Hyderabad told 9 days before that they must travel to Shillong (originally Manipur so same problem) for a match on 10th Feb, come back for a home match on 14th and travel again to Aizawl on 17th?
It takes 12 hours in transit for each journey.
It takes 12 hours in transit for each journey.
For those who are not aware, it takes 5 lakh rupees on average to travel for 1 away game in the #ILeague (flights + hotel + other things). In this case, it would have been 10 lakhs if the game had gone ahead.
Equate that with the amount of money clubs are making (nothing).
Equate that with the amount of money clubs are making (nothing).
Minimum media promotion & Outdated Match Regulations
Why are pre-match press conferences mandatory if there is no media attending? AIFF Media Team has stopped using quotes from PCs, writing consolidated Matchweek previews instead of one for each match.
Who are we doing PCs for?
Why are pre-match press conferences mandatory if there is no media attending? AIFF Media Team has stopped using quotes from PCs, writing consolidated Matchweek previews instead of one for each match.
Who are we doing PCs for?
Now, for the State FAs.
By now, it is quite clear to all who follow #IndianFootball that State Associations are the biggest culprits in the lack of development of players, coaches, infrastructure etc.
Barring a fair few, most of them have nothing to show for in the last decade.
By now, it is quite clear to all who follow #IndianFootball that State Associations are the biggest culprits in the lack of development of players, coaches, infrastructure etc.
Barring a fair few, most of them have nothing to show for in the last decade.
Most of the people who head these bodies are local politicians who have no clue about #IndianFootball and no interest in doing their job.
They will hire their next of kin, not attend AGMs, rig elections and stay in power for the title.
If we ask questions, we are threatened.
They will hire their next of kin, not attend AGMs, rig elections and stay in power for the title.
If we ask questions, we are threatened.
There is zero accountability and hilariously, none of them are under RTI despite AIFF being so.
They amend their constitutions to become life members (this is against the National Sports Code) and there is nothing anyone can do.
AIFF looks the other way because of vote bank.
They amend their constitutions to become life members (this is against the National Sports Code) and there is nothing anyone can do.
AIFF looks the other way because of vote bank.
FSDL bullies AIFF, flaunting their budget, corporate structure and event management knowhow.
AIFF bullies I-League clubs, threatening to sanction every small thing that looks out of place all the while failing to announce broadcast partners 3 days before the season kicks off.
AIFF bullies I-League clubs, threatening to sanction every small thing that looks out of place all the while failing to announce broadcast partners 3 days before the season kicks off.
General behaviour of AIFF officials is astoundingly arrogant. Instead of working hand in hand with stakeholders, their first thoughts are to show them who is in charge.
Meritocracy is frowned upon, mediocrity is worshipped. The cream will never rise to the top in #IndianFootball
Meritocracy is frowned upon, mediocrity is worshipped. The cream will never rise to the top in #IndianFootball
Salary payments are a big problem - at all levels.
A lot of clubs (however professional they may appear) fail to pay employees on time each month. The excuse given is - "We are still better than xyz who won't have paid you for longer" or "This is how it is in #IndianFootball "
A lot of clubs (however professional they may appear) fail to pay employees on time each month. The excuse given is - "We are still better than xyz who won't have paid you for longer" or "This is how it is in #IndianFootball "
#HyderabadFC is not a one-off and will not be if #IndianFootball doesn't prioritise sustainability.
I'm sure they had their reasons but how were grown-ass men with families okay with not getting paid for 6-8 months?
Why is this club still allowed to play? No points deduction?
I'm sure they had their reasons but how were grown-ass men with families okay with not getting paid for 6-8 months?
Why is this club still allowed to play? No points deduction?
There are so many examples and incidents of all that I have mentioned earlier that I can recount but I will save those for another day.
For now, I am kinda heartbroken that I need to take this step because I really believed we could achieve something in #IndianFootball but 🤷
For now, I am kinda heartbroken that I need to take this step because I really believed we could achieve something in #IndianFootball but 🤷
As of now, I see no light at the end of the tunnel for #IndianFootball especially with more dirt being uncovered every day (Airline deals, tenders & whatnot).
The only thing left for me is to get through till the end of this #ILeague season.
Yours sincerely,
A Cog in the Wheel
The only thing left for me is to get through till the end of this #ILeague season.
Yours sincerely,
A Cog in the Wheel
@90ndstoppage @Chetan__Anand @kimskris @UjwalKS @rIndianFootball @satyapalti @dlast1_standing @BluePilgrims @indiantransfer @sevensftbl @FootballWalla @fni @SandynoneM @ShanupNair @sayakdd28 @sijumathew94 @TheIndianLeague @Indian_Footbal1 @just_avik @ArkaTweets1 @_inkandball_
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