Eye on India: Goa, not Bengal, is India's football state

The other day, while taking a cursory look at the recent records of the I-League (the new avatar of the National Football League back home), a simple truth hit home suddenly — it's about the death of ‘Big Two' in Indian football. For the uninitiated, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, both century-old institutions who were synonymous with the game in that country till some years back, have now become also-rans in the bigger picture.

For those of us who have grown up in the football city of Kolkata, both names still bring up a sense of déjà vu. The fierce rivalry of these teams — often a subject of research of how the game has given rise to huge supporter bases built on ethnic divide among the Bengalis — still brings close to 100,000 people to the stadium whenever they meet. For any corporate house seeking a slice of media attention, the two are still one of the best brands around — but both have lost their aura of invincibility in the overall scenario.

Here's a piece of cold statistic to drive home the point — it's been five years since either of them have won the National League! In a 14-team league table, East Bengal now find themselves in the ninth spot with Mohun Bagan a shade better in the sixth. As far as sense of pride goes, all is not lost though for Kolkata as Chirag United — which has established itself as the third force from that city — are going neck-and-neck with reigning champions Dempo.

Dempo rule

The mantle of the leading football state of the country has now, slowly but surely, gone to Goa. Four of the last five I-League titles have gone to Goan teams, with Dempo ruling the roost. While this is extremely healthy for Indian football — which has in recent times been making news for the right reasons — it's worth trying to look back and wonder as to what has gone wrong with the Big Two.

While a lot could be said about the shortsighted officials of these clubs (for their tendency to seek instant success by hiring often sub-standard or over-the-hill foreigners rather than nursing home grown talent), a perceptible change of football culture brought about the National League is also a major factor behind it. With the league throwing up employment opportunities for talented youngsters across the country, wearing the Big Two shirts is not the ultimate goal for these wannabe stars anymore.

It's really time, then, for these two clubs to get their act together rather than gloat in past glory!