ISL has enhanced football’s popularity

“It’s quite good, especially with the ISL coming up. It really enhanced the popularity we have as a nation. I think a lot of interest has been generated. Not only in terms of fans coming to watch the match, but also the corporate houses, the media and everyone coming and chipping in,” Chhetri told PTI here on Friday.

“I think it is very, very important if we can generate interest. It is a first step. Then we have to make sure <g data-gr-id="28">lot</g> of other things is done to make the game more popular,” he said. 

Chhetri, who currently has 50 goals for India, felt that the training facilities and quality of game <g data-gr-id="29">needs</g> to improve to raise fans’ interest.

“One of the things is to make sure that we have proper training facilities so that the game tempo increases, the quality improves. The more the quality improves then the fans are going to watch and they are going to be interested more <g data-gr-id="32">to watch, make sure the matches are on TV, make sure the timings are right</g>. All these things together if done well, the popularity will keep improving,” he said. 

Noting that the Indian football team is passing through <g data-gr-id="30">transition</g>, Chhetri felt that the ecosystem of the game needs to improve for the side to achieve better results. “I think it is in a transition period. But, there are a lot of youngsters coming in. We have a new coach. It’s going to take some time,” he said.