Perception of football as a foreign sport in India
Cricket has always been the most popular sport in India, with widespread attention and investment at every level. Football, on the other hand, is often viewed as a foreign sport that has struggled to gain traction in India. Below are some reasons why football suffers from this perception:
- Colonial legacy: India was once a British colony, and cricket was the sport favored by British rulers. This legacy has ensured that cricket remains the most popular sport in India, as it has been passed down through generations and is viewed as part of the country’s cultural heritage. Football, on the other hand, has not had the same level of exposure or investment from the government as cricket has.
- Lack of success on the international stage: Despite football being the most popular sport in the world and having a huge following worldwide, India has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and has not had much success on the international stage. The lack of success has led many Indians to view football as a less important sport.
- Inadequate infrastructure for football: The quality of football infrastructure in India is not up to the mark, which makes it difficult for the sport to grow. Football grounds are scarce, and the ones that are available are often not well maintained. Additionally, access to training facilities, equipment and coaching is inadequate, especially in rural areas where the sport has the potential to grow.
The table below provides a comparison of the investment in football vs cricket in India. It shows that cricket has a much larger fan base and more investment at every level, from grassroots to elite tournaments.
| Sport | Fan base (million) | Total investment (USD million) |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 170 | 70 |
| Cricket | 462 | 2,230 |
In conclusion, while football has a massive global following, the sport struggles to gain traction in India. Perceptions of football as a foreign sport, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and a lack of success on the international stage, make it difficult for football to compete with the entrenched popularity of cricket in India.