Sikimmese sniper

All India Football Federation: Known as the common man’s game, football is not just the most popular sport in the world, it also unites people across boundaries. And it comes as a rude shock that while India as a country is becoming a stronger global power by the day, its position in the common man’s game has drastically degraded in the last year. Unfortunately, when one talks of global ambassadors in football, India has only one name -- Bhaichung Bhutia.

And the former India skipper’s heart bleeds when he sees India’s FIFA ranking has dropped 15 places to 117 in the recent rankings -- worst in last seven years. While not someone to shy away from taking on the strongest defenders on the football pitch, he only watches helplessly as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has failed to provide a professional set-up to help the game grow in the country.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Sikimmese Sniper said Kalyan Chaubey (AIFF President) has failed Indian football and the constant in-fighting is one of the major reasons why the team has failed to rise to the challenges and stride forward in the global platform.