Wenger urges tapping of Indian football ‘gold mine’
Country with a 1.4-billion population should be on football world map, former Arsenal manager says
21 November 2023 - 19:41
byTommy Lund
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Arsene Wenger believes there is a “gold mine” of football talent in India that needs to be tapped so the country can play a more significant role on the world stage.
“My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, with a 1.4-billion population, is not on the football world map,” former Arsenal manager Wenger said during a visit to India in his role as Fifa’s chief of global football development.
“My main target here is to convince people that there is a gold mine here, but at the moment it is not completely explored, exploited and encouraged,” he added during a meeting with the president of the All India Football Federation on Monday.
The Frenchman said a robust development programme can improve a country’s performance.
“I was in Japan at the start of their football in 1995. In 1998, they were at the World Cup,” he said. “So that means it is possible. You have to start early.
“I believe you have huge assets, fantastic qualities that make me very optimistic about what you can do here.”
India have never taken part in a World Cup. They opted not to participate in the 1950 tournament despite being invited.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Wenger urges tapping of Indian football ‘gold mine’
Country with a 1.4-billion population should be on football world map, former Arsenal manager says
Arsene Wenger believes there is a “gold mine” of football talent in India that needs to be tapped so the country can play a more significant role on the world stage.
“My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, with a 1.4-billion population, is not on the football world map,” former Arsenal manager Wenger said during a visit to India in his role as Fifa’s chief of global football development.
“My main target here is to convince people that there is a gold mine here, but at the moment it is not completely explored, exploited and encouraged,” he added during a meeting with the president of the All India Football Federation on Monday.
The Frenchman said a robust development programme can improve a country’s performance.
“I was in Japan at the start of their football in 1995. In 1998, they were at the World Cup,” he said. “So that means it is possible. You have to start early.
“I believe you have huge assets, fantastic qualities that make me very optimistic about what you can do here.”
India have never taken part in a World Cup. They opted not to participate in the 1950 tournament despite being invited.
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Top-seeded England finish Euro campaign with a whimper
Ivory Coast win again in World Cup qualifiers as away teams call the shots
Bafana coach Broos questions venue and pitch in Rwanda
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.