Indian Women’s football team can play World Cup much before men, admits Bhaichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia spoke after the AIFF Executive Committee meeting yesterday.

Indian footballing icon Bhaichung Bhutia was pipped to the AIFF President post by Kalyan Chaubey. He was present for the AIFF Executive Committee meeting held yesterday in Bengaluru to decide the direct I-League entrants for the 2023-24 season.

Speaking to Sportstar after the AIFF Ex Co meeting, Bhutia raised concerns about the lack of equal distribution of funds between state associations and the non-implementation of the equal pay system for men and women footballers by Kalyan Chaubey.

Lack of funding for grassroots

Bhutia said to Sportstar, "States are the ones that produce footballers. I think they are giving 12 lakhs for administrative purposes (salaries). 12 lakhs for all competitions is very less. Though it is good that at least this body has started giving something but 12 lakhs to do U-13, U-15, U-17, Junior, Sub-Junior, Women, Santosh Trophy, travel, and kits is not enough. There are few states that get support from the government like Odisha, maybe Bengal. But a lot of States don’t get it.”

The lack of funding being put into grassroots programs was another facet pointed out by Bhaichung Bhutia. He also went on to reveal that Sunil Chhetri's name was not on the 'Footballer of the Year' shortlist.

Equal pay not yet implemented

Last year in September, Kalyan Chaubey had advocated for gender equality among footballers, among other plans to expand the reach of the sport. A minimum salary cap for the Indian Women's League teams was also in the works. Bhaichung Bhutia pointed out to Sportstar that this was yet to be implemented, and highlighted the other issues women footballers faced during the IWL.

"Last season was really bad because the facilities, the travel were really bad. So, we asked the women footballers and the women’s league to have at least an I-League standard of travel and stay- hotels and flight fares. Efforts should be made to increase the prize money for women's leagues, as they are higher ranked than the men's team. The IM Vijayan led technical committee will take a decision on (women's senior national team) the head coach by Wednesday."

“I feel the women’s football (team) can play the World Cup much before the men. When the President is saying we will pay equal salaries, that is just happening in the media and not in reality. Valanka [Natasha Alemao], who is in charge of women’s football, also made a lot of complaints and suggestions,” Bhutia revealed."

While the steps taken to ensure a 16-team I-League are firmly in the right direction and in accordance with Vision 2047, Bhaichung Bhutia has underlined a few key issues and promises that are yet to be dealt with by the AIFF Executive Committee.