After Odisha’s victory as national champions in hockey, the state government is now focusing on football. However, questions have been raised by football coaches and sports enthusiasts regarding the Under-15 Inter-Club Football Championship. They are questioning why only district associations and clubs or institutes approved by the Football Association of Odisha (FAO) are allowed to participate.
The Sports Minister has clarified that just as Odisha achieved success in hockey, similar efforts will be made to attain success in football. The focus will be on grassroots talent identification, much like the system in place for hockey. Players will be selected from the block level through district-level competitions.
However, there is criticism about FAO’s approach, as senior coaches have alleged that FAO only sends notices to a few approved clubs and remains passive. They argue that an open-door policy should be implemented, allowing all clubs and academies in the state to participate. Despite the FAO’s communication with approved clubs and district associations for the championship, many believe this exclusivity hampers the state’s broader football development.
