MAKING SENSE OF NEHRU CUP WIN

August 29 was one day football grabbed the headlines for a change. That too Indian football and not the deeds of a Real Madrid or a Manchester United.

The Nehru Cup triumph is undoubtedly celebration time for a country who is deep in the abyss as far as football is concerned. Just the dose of confidence the team needs to aim for taller deeds in the international arena.

The victory was all the more sweeter because it came against Syria, ranked 112 by FIFA compared to India's abysmal 151. An upset to savour, though it was a young Syrian side without six key players. Something more credible than occasionally winning SAF (South Asian Federation) tournaments against the likes of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Does this victory herald a new dawn for Indian football? After all, the other teams in the fray were Kyrgyzstan (ranked two places below India at 153), Cambodia at 173 and Bangladesh at 176.

Far too early to say but coach Bob Houghton has generated hope. The triumph may result in more corporate interest and more money pumped into the game, but as long as it is not channelised properly, it will be curtains. A host of foreign coaches, from Ciric Milovan in the 1980s to Stephen Constantine recently have thrown in the towel, faced as they were with a brick wall.

Also there is less awareness about domestic football, especially in urban areas. Kids may have heard of Bhaichung Bhutia but that's about it. And Bhutia has been around for more than a decade. One hears people waxing eloquent about Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Man U, Barca et al, but when it comes to Indian football, it is a blank.

A strong, well-marketed professional league is a must. If the Nehru Cup in Delhi witnessed good crowds and if Malayalis all over Delhi could descend in droves on the Ambedkar Stadium for the Santosh Trophy final in 2004 to cheer Kerala to victory, Indian football certainly has passionate fans. It's all about giving them competitive clashes to fuel their passion.

Morevoer, local players badly need to play abroad. Corporate support and club tie-ups which enable them to get stints overseas will go a long way in bolstering Indian football.

Here's wishing for a day when we get to see bigger teams in the Nehru Cup (like in the 1980s) and India stands up to their might and does not get thrashed black and blue (like in the 1980s)