Internet Desk: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia wants to see less foreign players in the playing XI of the teams in Indian Super League. He wants the number of home grown players increased to six from the current five in the starting eleven of the ISL.
The former FPAI president, who was in Mumbai on Monday to attend the FPAI annual awards ceremony also said that the association wanted the ISL to increase the teams from the present eight by “one or two teams”, at the FPAIs annual awards function at the Cooperage banquet hall last night.
“We want to work with the ISL and I-League. We want more and more teams to join the I-League and ISL. With this, the two competitions will get stronger. We need more teams so that more players get chances,” he said.
FPAI’s vice-president and former India striker Abhishek Yadav said the association was striving hard for the betterment of the lot of players including providing them an easier pathway to earn the coaches norms and medical insurance.”We have (also) requested for six Indians in the ISL (against the current norm of five) in the starting eleven,” said the former India striker with several current footballers, including foreign ones of the I-League sitting in the audience and lapping up his words.
“We have also decided to start a rehabilitation centre to counsel the footballers who get injured and are frustrated that they are unable to play. We are trying our best but there?s always scope for improvement,” he said.
“We will also help footballers who want to start coaching camps in their home towns. We do a lot of work but we also have our own set of problems, but we are trying to improve every year,” he added.
I League winning Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood, who was nominated as the winner of the best coaches award at the function, said he has seen a lot of interest in football in India over the last three years he has been present in the country.
“I have seen many improvements. It’s not only cricket now. Professional football is rising. That will help Indian football,” said Westwood.