Book on Indian football launched amid fanfare

FIFA Regional Development Officer for South and Central Asia, Shaji Prabhakaran on Monday launched his book 'Back To The Roots, A definitive Guide To Grassroots & Football Development', whose focal point is development of football as a major sport in India. The book was launched in New Delhi in the presence of stalwarts of Indian football in presence of four former India captains in IM Vijayan, Bhaichung

Bhutia, Jo Paul Ancheri and Bruno Coutinho. Also gracing the occasion was All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel and secretary Kushal Das. It charts out a roadmap for Indian football to transform into a major game; the obstacles it could face and the remedies have been mentioned in the book.

The book is being launched a year before India host its first ever major FIFA tournament - the U-17 World Cup. As the title suggests, special emphasis is bieng given to grassroots development.

Prabhakaran, who felt things are changing for better in Indian football, said, "Whatever I am today is because of football. I would not have made it so far if it was not for football. "There are a lot of passionate people in India when it comes to football and I wanted to give something back to them. Football gives immense joy in people's lives.

"If one percent of people in India can learn something through this book then my attempt in authoring a book will be successful," Shaji stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Praful Patel lauded the book and said, "It is very nice to turn up for a book launch that is about football. It is very refreshing and heart warming. I like the book by the title and the book reminds us that Indian football needs grassroots and it is imperative to work on it.”

"Our entire focus right now is at the Grassroots level and that is why Indian football is witnessing changes and progressing in the right direction," he added.

"It is good to know that a book on grassroots football in India has been written and we at the AIFF have been promoting grassroots vigorously throughout the country," said Bhutia.