- The GSFA has been working to improve the state’s presence in national football, but progress has been slow
- The state has had representation in the Santosh Trophy, the country’s premier state-level football tournament, but it has rarely posed a significant challenge to the traditional powerhouses
- Football-specific stadiums and training centers should be built with government and private partnerships
- With the right strategies, Gujarat can transition from a footballing outlier to a formidable force in Indian football, contributing to the sport’s growth nationwide
PARIMAL NATHWANI
Indian football has long been dominated by regions such as West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, and the North-East, where the sport enjoys deep-rooted popularity and cultural significance. However, Gujarat, despite its sporting infrastructure and economic strength, remains on the periphery of the national football landscape. While the Gujarat State Football Association (GSFA) is very active for the last few years, the question still remains as to where does Gujarat football stand in the larger Indian context, and what can be done to elevate its status?
Unlike cricket, which enjoys massive following and infrastructural support in Gujarat, football has largely remained a secondary sport. While cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara have stadiums and academies, the enthusiasm for football at a grassroots level has not reached the intensity seen in states with richer footballing traditions. The GSFA has been working to improve the state’s presence in national football, but progress has been slow.
The state has had representation in the Santosh Trophy, the country’s premier state-level football tournament, but it has rarely posed a significant challenge to the traditional powerhouses. Moreover, the absence of Gujarat-based clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL) or even the I-League, India’s primary football competitions, further illustrates the lack of a robust footballing ecosystem.
Unlike in Goa or West Bengal, where football is a way of life, Gujarat has not traditionally embraced the sport with the same fervor. Cricket has overshadowed football in schools and local tournaments. Aspiring footballers in Gujarat find it difficult to progress beyond local leagues due to the absence of competitive clubs participating in national leagues. While Gujarat has world-class cricket stadiums, dedicated football infrastructure, such as training centers and proper academies, remains insufficient. Sponsorships and investment in football in Gujarat are sparse. Unlike cricket, which receives immense financial backing, football struggles to attract corporate interest.
To improve Gujarat’s footballing status in the Indian context, several measures must be undertaken: Schools and colleges should integrate football into their sports curriculum and organize more inter-school and inter-district tournaments. Football academies must be strengthened to identify and nurture young talent. A Gujarat-based team in the I-League or ISL could act as a catalyst for the sport’s growth. Cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara or Surat, which have strong sporting cultures, can be home to such clubs. Football-specific stadiums and training centers should be built with government and private partnerships. The presence of such facilities would encourage more young players to take up the sport seriously. Just as Gujarat has attracted investments in other industries, football clubs and leagues should seek sponsorships from businesses to create sustainable footballing programs. Hosting national and international football events in Gujarat can generate local interest. Training camps and friendly matches involving international teams could inspire aspiring players.
Now since the GSFA is poised to prepare for its own Gujarat Super League (GSL) for the consecutive second year, I thought to pen down some of my views. Gujarat has the resources and potential to emerge as a significant player in Indian football, but it requires a concerted effort from stakeholders, including the state government, football administrators, private investors, and, most importantly, football enthusiasts. With the right strategies, Gujarat can transition from a footballing outlier to a formidable force in Indian football, contributing to the sport’s growth nationwide.
The author of this article, Parimal Nathwani, is Rajya Sabha Member, President, GSFA and Director, Corporate Affairs at RIL.)
