When was the last time Karnataka won the national football championship? When was the last time a club from the state won a major title?
Well, just as India’s gold medal wins way back in 1951 and 1962, Karnataka’s soccer achievements are all but forgotten today. For, after winning the Santosh Trophy in 1968 as Mysore, the state is yet to emerge triumphant.
Karnataka entered the final in 1975-76 losing to Bengal in a replay. The team hasn’t event entered the final since. Yes, there were some atrocious refereeing decisions for five years in a row from 1988 to 1992 which denied Karnataka a place in the title round. But that apart, little has been achieved apart from a win or two by the junior or sub junior teams.
The now-disbanded Indian Telephone Industries (Seniors) won the inaugural Federation Cup football tournament in 1977. No club has managed to win a big tournament since that eventful showing.
Since the inception of the national league in 1996-97, only ITI, till they fell apart, and Hindustan Aircraft Limited have figured in the championship. Both were demoted and again got back but they have never ended up in the top five or six team bracket even in the 10-team or 12-team format.
Time was when the annual transfer list had a large number of Bangalore players seeking greener pastures in Bengal, Bombay, Goa and other places. But today, a handful of players’ services are sought by clubs in other cities. For there are no clubs to produce the kind of players that once trooped out of their assembly lines.
Football tournament have come to a standstill. The once-glamorous and oldest tournament in the South, the Stafford Challenge Cup, has not been held for more than 15 years now. Why even the Senior division league has not been conducted regularly. There was not league last year and there are no signs of its commencement yet this year.
Tournament in Mysore (Maharaja’s Gold Cup, Ideal Jawa Challenge Shield), Tumkur (Srinivasa memorial tournament), Kolar Gold Fields (BGML Gold Cup), Mangalore (Nehru Trophy), Shimoga (Juan Monros Trophy), Mandya (Mysugar Cup), Belgaum (Cosmos Trophy) have all come to a grinding halt. Sadly, with no efforts and consequently, signs of revival.
The inter-district tournament was never held for decades but the KSFA did start one. Yet, it has not been conducted in a manner it should be. It must serve as a selection trial tournament for the state team but that has not been the case at all. Players below 19 or so take part with little or no exposure in the Media.
In recent times, except Krishnaji Rao, Amjad Khan and A.D. Nagendra no coach has been attached to the Indian senior or junior team in any capacity. Karnataka names in the list of national referees is also very discouraging.
Women’s football is now part of the men’s wing. But the state of affairs in the sport in the state is pathetic. There does not appear to be a single registered club in the state, much less a league. A tournament organised out of the blue by interested persons is the only avenue to spot talent. Or else selections trials called by the KSFA serves that purpose.
All this despite the fact that football is the most watch sport in the city and the state. Followers of the game are willing to pay and watch football, even B division I-League football and frequent the stadium in large numbers to see whatever they are destined to or are forced to. Even the Chinnaswamy Stadium was packed to its capacity during the Stafford Cup, the Federation Cup and the Super Soccer Series soccer conducted at that venue in the 1980s and 1990s.
This shocking decline in the game has also affected Indian football. for the big clubs of the country no longer get talented players from the state. But who cares? Not least the KSFA or for that matter, even the AIFF.
The state and national soccer bodies have not even brought related forces together in an effort to do some brain-storming in the form of a seminar or a symposium to go about the job of resurrection. Will they ever and when is the question.
bngexpresso@expressbuzz.com