Bhaichung Bhutia laments death of 'para' football, wants kids to play freely outside

It’s not in stadiums where most players develop a love affair with football, but on the streets, believes former Indian football skipper, Bhaichung Bhutia. And it is this kind of street or parafootball that has the potential to help the game gain a foothold in India, Bhutia said. Speaking at an event in Mumbai recently, the footballer recalled his early days in West Bengal to drive his point home.

“When I came to Calcutta at the age of 16 and even before, there was a lot of para-football culture around. If you look at the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s era, many players had developed a passion for the sport from para-football and went on to make their mark in the game. Now, sadly, this has declined,” said Bhutia.

The 41-year-old football star had a suggestion: “If we encourage street football, let kids play freely in the streets and everywhere, they will develop a passion for the game. Once they reach the age of 12-13 years, they can get into a grassroot programme. This is how football can grow,” he said.