Focus on grassroots: Tottenham legends Ossie Ardiles and Ledley King outline India's surge upward

Ossie Ardiles and Ledley King are Tottenham Hotspur legends and currently in India to help development of grassroots.

Witnessing the meteoric rise of Indian football is nothing short of exhilarating. The dazzling performances of the Indian national team underscore the nation’s recognition of the sport’s significance and potential. To propel this growth, there’s a unanimous understanding – grassroots football improvement is paramount. As the country embraces the beautiful game, nurturing talent from the roots becomes the linchpin. 

European powerhouse Tottenham Hotspur have stepped forward to aid India’s grassroots football growth. Ossie Ardiles, the 1978 FIFA World Cup winner, and another Spurs legend, Ledley King, touched down in Mumbai on 24 November for a series of events as part of the ‘Spurs in India’ campaign. Their mission is to ignite the flames of football development at the grassroots level. 

Khel Now had the privilege to get an exclusive interview of both the Spurs legends on the sidelines of RFYS Coaches Workshop:

Indian Football Development

In recent times, Indian football has witnessed an impressive surge, and the nurturing of grassroots talent stands as the pivotal stepping stone for India’s ascent to footballing greatness.

When questioned about the path to furthering Indian football development, Ledley King emphasised, “There are a number of elements. First you have that appetite for the game. If the young people have the appetite, we can look at the coaches on how we can improve the coaching, to teach these young people how to get the best of their talents. And to be great, to do something at a very high level, they have to play regularly.”

Ossie Ardiles said on the context, “These are from the individual point of view. From the big point of view, it is obvious that India is trying to improve. For example Japan was 20 years ago (at the same position as India), China 10 or 15 years ago, and the United States 20 years ago.”

“It all depends on where India wants to be. I have a strong feeling that the people in India want to be at the very top. But the quality too needs to be at the top. If you are going to beat England or Argentina or Brazil, you don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s a long and very hard work,” he added.

No improvement without grassroots

The Spurs legends’ visit to India carries a clear mission—to enhance the nation’s football landscape from the grassroots. Ossie Ardiles, in particular, sheds light on the paramount importance of grassroots development. He delves into the crucial steps children need to take to ascend the ladder and become top-notch professionals. 

“It involves grassroots, because without grassroots you are not going to have proper football in India. It involves later on as well. When the children finish here, they will probably play in school or so on, and national football. So, they need to know where to go, where to carry on playing. The sooner this part is professional, the better it is for India to be where they want to be.”

Can India qualify and win the FIFA World Cup in our lifetime?

It’s the cherished dream of every Indian football fan to witness India qualify for the FIFA World Cup. While acknowledging the arduous nature of the qualification process, when posed with the question of whether India can secure a World Cup victory in our lifetime, the 1978 FIFA World Cup winner responded, “It is going to be very tough. Japan is trying very hard. But you have to start. A goal should be to have a very good National Team, and then start here (grassroots). Five years, six years, seven years, eight years, nine years and then we’ll see.”

Japan, a prime example

In the spectacular saga of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Japan emerged as a football force to be reckoned with. Their stunning victories against giants like Spain and Germany propelled them into the Round of 16, leaving football enthusiasts in awe. Ardiles, recognizing Japan’s remarkable journey, shed light on the nation’s continuous football improvement over the years. 

“Very good example is Japan. They come from dust. They were not at national sports, they were not interested, really. But they started and now they have won the Asian Cup, are playing in every single World Cup since the last four or five editions. And one day they want to be champions. Make the first step and all the others will follow.”

Ledley King added on the same, “Patience, because it’s not the national team now that is going to win any tournaments, it’s the young kids in 20 years that can do it and that is why we need to help develop the game.”

Can we expect a collaboration between Spurs and an Indian Club?

In the ongoing I-League season, Uttar Pradesh-based outfit Inter Kashi turned heads by partnering with none other than Atletico Madrid, a powerhouse in Spanish and European football. When we queried Ledley about a potential collaboration between Spurs and an Indian club, the Tottenham legend responded with intrigue, “Obviously I think so. We have seen our fanbase growing in India a lot. So obviously we recognize. In the future maybe we will find a chance to give back. Hopefully, we have people here to help grow the game in India”. Surprisingly, after this interview, Tottenham has partnered with Kickstart FC, a Bengaluru-based football club.

Since its 2016 inception, RFYS has been a pivotal force in nurturing grassroots sports across India, fostering opportunities for emerging talents to cultivate skills and forge careers. The extensive five-month tournament, spanning 30+ districts, serves as a transformative platform for schools and colleges.

Over the years, it has propelled athletes like Melroy Assisi, Shilky Devi Hemam, and others into the limelight, paving the way for professional contracts with prominent ISL and I-League teams. Their success resonates globally, with some representing India on the international stage. RFYS stands as a beacon, revolutionizing India’s sporting landscape and catapulting young aspirants to greater heights.

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