Most of the big clubs are giving more preference to players from other states to get success
Today the situation is such that the number of self-styled players of Delhi has remained negligible
Some local clubs and players are apprehensive because they see suspicious of foul-play
Rajendra Sajwan
There may not be many people who dream of making Delhi the football capital of India, but some club officials and fans believe that football in the country’s capital is moving in the right direction.
Over the years, the opportunities for the right local clubs and players to play in the Delhi Football League are increasing. It is a dream come true, especially for the younger age group players. From Baby League and C Division to Premier League, events are organizing and players are getting a chance to play throughout the year. Obviously, the players are also getting some pocket money. Even if they are not able to earn a living, but Delhi’s league football can become a better platform for them to make a place in the I-League, ISL, and the national team. Still, a question is asked again and again how many local players are there in Delhi football?
If we have a cursory look at the players participating in five to six categories, then the number of players from the host state continuously decreases. The clubs in Delhi do not have the answer as to why this is happening, or else they turn a blind eye to the correct answer to hide their failures. Big club and local unit officials also do not want to speak clearly.
It is true that the doors have always been open for outsiders in Delhi football. In most of the big clubs players from other states have been playing but today a lot has changed. Earlier players from outside states were in numbers to be counted on fingers, but today the condition is that the number of local players of Delhi has remained very less. This is because the number of players coming from outside territories is continuously increasing.
According to the local clubs, which survive on players from outside, there has been a persistent shortage of quality local players in Delhi. As the competition is increasing, more and more external players are being recruited. Players from the neighboring states of Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab to West Bengal, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Arunachal, Assam, and many other states are playing in local clubs and winning laurels. The funny thing is that the teams which have the maximum number of foreign players are considered to be winner. Not only this, most of the Man of the Match award winners are also becoming outsiders. While the increasing number of outside players is being seen as an improvement in the level of the game. And some local clubs and players are apprehensive. Because they see suspicion of foul-play.
Some officials, on condition of anonymity, expressed suspicion that some of the outstation players were not playing their natural game. They are being controlled by some people whose aim is to spoil the game. Of course, this is a matter of serious concern.