Former Indian football goalkeeper Brahmanand Shankhwalkar said that the country has plenty of talent and could do well at the international level if the players have more foreign exposure.
“It is not that we do not have talent. We have good players with technique, physique and speed but we lack the style of play and international exposure,” Brahmanand, an Arujuna awardee told PTI here.
India could perform better in the international arena, particularly at the Asian level if exposed to more international exposure, as the country have talented footballers with good skills, technique and speed, he said.
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The emphasis should be on international exposure at home rather than sending the team abroad, he said, elaborating that India should invite foreign teams to play at home more than sending the team abroad.
The matches against the foreign teams should be played in every state, particularly in football crazy states such as Kerala, Goa, West Bengal to promote and encourage football, Brahmanand said.
Brahmanand strongly advocated a 2nd Division I—league rather than a qualifying round for elevation to the main I—league.
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Brahmanand also moaned the lack of quality strikers like Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chetri.