A sneak peek into the balance sheets of top European football clubs is enough to overwhelm anyone. These clubs aren?t just about a bunch of players; they are financial powerhouses. With soaring revenues in their kitty, these European moguls of football can give any corporate house a run for its money.
Consider this: as per the Delloitte Football Money League 2010 report, revenue for Spanish giants Real Madrid topped the charts, crossing Euro 400 million, making them the first team in any sport to record such revenues. Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea follow next in line.
Their success is not only a reflection of football?s status in Europe, but a proof of these clubs? growing fan following in the rest of the world, especially Asia. Owing to global broadcast and intensive marketing by European leagues, these clubs have become globally known. That India is no different is clear from Manchester United?s research, which claims that the club has more than 20 million fans in India. A growing chunk of otherwise cricket-crazy Indians are taking keen interest in European, especially English, football. European clubs are reciprocating this; after all, the size and potential of the Indian market is seductive for them as well.
Therefore, it wasn?t a surprise when a Liverpool-backed football academy was started in Pune earlier this month. The club will provide technical support to the academy in the form of coaches and other expertise to hone the talent of young Indian footballers. Earlier, FC Barcelona Foundation, in association Rural Development Trust, started a football academy for underprivileged children at Bhathalapally in Andhra Pradesh in 2008.
For the past couple of years, Chelsea and Manchester United have been taking keen interest in India. Chelsea aided the launch of Asian Football Confederation?s Vision India programme and has been reportedly studying the Indian market with a view to establish football academies. Chelsea?s chief executive Peter Kenyon visited India four times last year. ManU has organised talent hunts by sending its renowned Manchester United Soccer Schools? coaches and scouts to conduct trials. United, too, is reportedly looking at India as the next big destination for their soccer schools. United and Bharti Airtel sealed a five-year sponsorship deal worth ?12 million last year, evidence of the club?s recognition of India?s business potential. Arsenal has also been involved in talent hunt competitions in India in association with Tata Tea at the under-15 level. Some of this interest can also be attributed to the IPL, which showcased India as a rapidly growing sports economy.
So, can these global football brands play a part in rejuvenating Indian football? Mahesh Gawli, member of India?s national team, is quite excited. ?If these clubs get involved in India, it would be a very great boost for Indian football. I pray that they come here as soon as possible.?
His views are echoed by his captain and icon of Indian football, Baichung Bhutia. ?India is already a huge market for European clubs. It would certainly be good if they start academies here. To me, it seems a win-win situation for both the clubs, as well as Indian football,? he says. The football fraternity feels that while these clubs would primarily market themselves, their investment in India in the development of grassroots-level football would benefit all in the future.
Satish Pillai, director, Tata Football Academy (TFA), agrees. ?We have the numbers to keep them interested here, while we ourselves stand to gain so much from these clubs,? he says. Pillai says a few clubs have been in touch with the TFA and have huge plans for India and China for the next decade. He also believes that when these clubs enter, the existing institutions in Indian football would be under pressure to perform. ?Now TFA?s graduates get the best placements. But when these European clubs set up academies, we will have to pull up our socks. That would obviously lead to better results for Indian football,? he says.
Industry experts are more cautious. ?European football clubs are internationally renowned and have strong legacy value, which would be invaluable even in the Indian context,? says Udit Sheth, MD and CEO of sports infrastructure company, TransStadia. He adds that club investments should be aimed at development of the game in India. ?If their goals are to only increase their eyeballs here, then Indian football won?t benefit, but they will achieve their goals in getting higher TV ratings and more merchandise sales. They will need to look at Indian football from a perspective of talent development, academy development and more,? he says.
Experts believe that getting foreign clubs to India can?t be the only solution. They point out that important questions need to be asked about the plans of these clubs for India.These clubs have recognised the huge financial potential in the region. The important issue is what real value, if any, will these parties bring to India? There are also question marks over how Indian football will benefit. It remains to be seen how these organisations will contribute to the development of sport through these programmes.
The clubs have been maintaining that while they most certainly look at any market for returns, development and promotion of football wherever they go is their prime responsibility and priority. In an earlier interview with The Indian Express, Chelsea?s director of communications and public affairs Simon Greenberg said, ?Of course, there are business opportunities, but we want to create those by having a partnership with football in Asia and that means helping to create a lasting legacy from the elite game down to the grassroots.?
The fact that most clubs have been talking about setting up academies certainly seems to be a healthy sign in this direction. What football fans in India would also be hoping for are pre-season tours by these clubs to India. Over the past few years, these clubs have been making regular trips to Asia for warm-up games and promoting themselves.
As for India, Bayern Munich visited Kolkata in 2008 for the last match for legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, when 1,25,000 fans gave them a resounding welcome.
Experts believe that it?s a matter of time before India starts featuring regularly on European club itineraries. How soon that happens, and at what levels, remains to be seen.