Indian Super League Good For Show, 'Zero' Benefit For Indian Football: Zico
Zico, Brazilian legend and FC Goa coach, said that over-dependency on foreigners in Indian Super League hindered the progress of Indian players. The ISL runners-up's coach added that the poor performance of the Indian national team was proof enough that the tournament was not helping the game in the country
The much touted Indian Super League (ISL) is good as a spectacle, but it does not benefit Indian football in any way, according to FC Goa chief coach and Brazilian legend Zico. (Chennaiyin FC Beat FC Goa to Lift Indian Super League Title)
Zico, who was speaking to reporters a day after his team lost the ISL final against Chennaiyin FC, also said that over-reliance on foreigners, as well as eight months of non-ISL activity were key reasons why the tournament, billed as football's biggest tournament in India, would do nothing to benefit football in the country. (Indian Super League: Chennaiyin FC Captain Elano Arrested For Assaulting FC Goa Co-Owner)
"With all due respect to ISL, I don't see any benefit it (ISL) can bring to Indian football. I cannot see any benefit. For show it is good, but for Indian football it is zero. Just see the results of the Indian national team," Zico said, when asked about the kind of impact ISL would have on Indian football. (Chennaiyin FC's Indian Super League Star Elano Released, Flies Back to Brazil After Bail)
Zico also said that over-dependency on foreign players at every position made it very difficult for local talent to find a break. He added that India should follow the football development models followed by Japan, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, if it needs to develop as a force in world football.
The Brazilian, who did not give a clear indication about whether he would continue as coach of FC Goa for the third edition, also said that once the ISL tournament winds up in three months, there was no infrastructure in place to support footballers.
"Once you stop this tournament, the infrastructure is not the same. Players spend eight months without playing," Zico said.