HistoriCity: Forgotten tales of Indian Football

India's absence from the FIFA World Cup is a recurring lament, especially when smaller nations like Cape Verde qualify. India's sole World Cup appearance was in 1950, after other Asian teams withdrew. A popular but likely untrue story claims India was banned for playing barefoot, implying a lack of resources for boots.

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Each football World Cup is a momentous occasion, and, almost like a ritual, it is also when India bemoans its absence from this biggest show on earth.

Despite cricket's overwhelming popularity and commercialization, football holds a special place in regions like Kerala, Goa, and Bengal, with fans passionately following global stars. The article points to historical triumphs, such as Mohun Bagan's 1911 IFA Shield victory with a barefoot team, as moments that could reignite passion for the sport.

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Even Cape Verde, a tiny nation smaller than the size of Mumbai has made it to the roster this year.

Football's roots in India trace back to the mid-19th century, introduced by the British. An anecdote recounts a young Indian boy, Nagendraprasad Sarbadhikary, kicking a ball for the first time in the 1850s, marking the beginning of a sport that would later become an outlet for asserting nationalism against foreign rulers.

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A popular myth is that the Indian team was barred from playing or that it was disqualified as FIFA did not permit teams to play barefoot, the implication is that India, which became independent in 1947, didn’t have the resources to afford boots for its players.

Furthermore, India has a rich tournament history, hosting Asia's oldest football competition, the Durand Cup, since 1888. Other pre-1900 tournaments like the Indian Football Association Shield and the Rovers Cup also underscore the sport's deep historical presence in the country, offering a legacy that could inspire a revival.

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However, with the overwhelming success and dominance of cricket over all other sports, especially in the wake of its corporatisation, football’s glorious past in India could provide inspiration to lovers of the beautiful game.