‘Explore talent at grass-root level’
*Aims to produce International stuff from State
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Apr 28: Hailing from Mohalla Paharian in the city of temples, the son of the soil-ace footballer, Arun Malhotra has the distinction of being the State as well as the Sher-e-Kashmir Awardee for his outstanding contribution in the field of soccer. Apart from top Football Clubs in the country namely, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, Mohan Bagan, Mahindra United and likes, he has the honour of representing the country at the International scene. He has also the reputation of being part of the teams possessing the players like Bhaichung Butia, IM Vijayan and likes. With a mission to produce International stuff from Jammu and Kashmir, Arun leaves no stone unturned in organising free camps in every nook and corner of the State, especially in and around the city of temples. Arun serves in ONGC, which has the reputation of employing the sportspersons like Virat Kohli, Ashish Nehra, Jaspal Rana, Pankaj Advani and Mithun Mnahas and likes.
In a freewheeling chat with EXCELSIOR, he talked about the soccer scenario in India and in Jammu and Kashmir as well.
Excerpts:
Q. When have you started your football career and which major teams you have represented?
A. I have started my football career in 1993, representing local Vijay Club and was roped by J&K Bank, where from I switched to Air India Mumbai and Mahindra United, then to Mohammedan Sporting Club and in 2001, I joined East Bengal, when my skill was recognised by an English Coach Stephen, who was instrumental in making me to play in Vietnam alongside Bhaichung Butia, IM Vijayan and likes. Then I got the opportunity to represent the country.
Q. What in your opinion is the difference of playing in J&K, India and abroad?
A. There is a hell of difference between playing in J&K and in Football loving States like Goa, Kerala and Bengal in India, while talking of playing abroad is a different ball game altogether. You have got immense soccer infrastructural facilities in European Countries, so it is delight to play in such an atmosphere.
There is no-doubt that the soccer scenario in India has got a sea change after FIFA had given approval to already held Under-17 Football World Cup, which served as a launching pad in raising sufficient standard football infrastructure in our country. Now, India possesses good number of Astroturf grounds and is aiming at holding women Soccer World Cup.
Q. Why India is not making it to the Soccer World Cup?
A. You know, India has got 101st rank in out of 204 soccer playing nations. At on time, India was at par with the countries like Japan and Korea, rather better than them, which are presently among top 10 countries in the world. Reason? Lack of Football Academies in the country, and non-seriousness of Football organizations with regard to hunting talent at the grass-root level.
It is only from a few years now that India is having well established Football Academies at different places. Otherwise, in the past, India were having a lone Jamshedpur TATA Football Academy to help talented footballers hone their skills. Now, All India Football Federation (AIFF) has launched Indian Soccer League (ISL) in the country also. However, unless you work harder and raise standard infrastructure across the country and establish good number of Football Academies like that of Japan and Korea, thinking of making it to the World Cup is to flog a dead horse.
Q. What about the sports infrastructure in J&K?
A. Frankly speaking, the State of Jammu and Kashmir, despite striving hard to create a niche in the field of sports, lacks infrastructure in every sports discipline, not to talk of Football only. No-doubt, the State Government under Governor’s Administration is taking lots of initiatives in promoting the standard of sports, yet there is a scope in raising the requisite infrastructure. In this regard, I have also talked to Advisor Vijay Kumar, who is very keen in improving the standard of sports in the State. Expecting good show from the state teams/players in absence of standard facilities is simply to cry for the moon.
Q. How can standard of sports be improved in J&K?
A. The first and foremost thing to improve the standard of sports in the State is to raise sports infrastructure, groom talent at the grass-root level and establish maximum number of Sports Academies in the State. Now talking of Football, the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) is making every effort to improve the standard of the game. The emergence of the Clubs like Real Kashmir, Lone Star and likes, portraits the picture of the improvement in the standard of Soccer in Jammu and Kashmir.
We have just one Astroturf ground at TRC in Srinagar, but that too is not in good shape after the floods badly hit the valley. We haven’t any good football ground in Jammu. Moreover, what is needed is to make use of the grounds which can lure good number of spectators, rather than making use of the grounds where you can see hardly anybody watching them. Holding good tournaments at jam-packed grounds is itself promotion of the game.
Q. It has been observed that the outstanding sportspersons of J&K do prefer to settle outside the State. Why?
A. You see, the Corporate Houses in Jammu and Kashmir are hardly interested in sponsoring sports events and not to talk of sportspersons. And in the States where Corporate Houses provide assistance to the sportspersons and for holding sports events, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the sportspersons flourish. That is why the outstanding players of the State prefer to move outside the State. Me, Mithun Manhas and Ranveer Singh are a few to name. Moreover, there is not much provision of incentives being provided to the sportspersons in the State.
Q. Tell us about your mission?
A. I am on a mission to produce International stuff from Jammu and Kashmir. I, time and again, organise free coaching camps in Jammu and adjoining areas to hunt talent from the grass-root level. I believe in ‘catch them young and coach them’ policy.
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