Kalyan Chaubey: India vs Hong Kong in Kochi will bring fans back to the stadium

The Indian football landscape is currently going through a period of both exponential growth and significant structural turbulence. On the sidelines of the Sports stars Focus Bihar Conclave, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey sat down for an exclusive conversation to discuss the strategic shift towards grassroots development, the unprecedented rise in participation in women’s football and the roadmap for the men’s national team under coach Khalid Jamil.

Fragments:

Q: We just got the Sports stars Focus Bihar Conclave. Considering today’s various panels, what is your biggest takeaway about the current sports climate in India?

A: It is incredibly relevant right now as the Indian government is promoting sports through infrastructure development and policy changes such as the National Sports Governance Act. There is a clear invitation for the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model to develop stadiums. Moreover, the Rs. A Rs 500 crore incentive for Indian sports equipment manufacturers is a huge boost.

As for the conclave, Sports stars has been a staple for sports fans since childhood, before smartphones and electronic media. It is the right time for such an initiative The Hindu Group. I have noticed a lot of enthusiasm in the Bihar Sports Department to develop the game and it is an honor to be here.

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Q: Recently, the Indian women’s team qualified for the AFC Asian Cup on merit. As our youth teams also prepare to test themselves against Asia’s best, how important are these milestones for grassroots development?

A: To grow any sport, you need to catch it young and ensure the bottom of the pyramid has maximum participation. Over the past three years, we have seen a revolution through the ASMITA competitions, supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. In the first year we organized 88 competitions in 90 cities.

Today, the number of registered female footballers in the AIFF system has increased by 234 percent to almost 40,000 players. For the first time in 23 years, the senior team qualified on merit rather than invitation. While losing 11-0 to Japan is a tough pill to swallow, playing on merit is a learning experience. Sometimes you have to pay to learn in world football. These girls have immense potential and with the support of FIFA and AFC, they will make India proud.

Q: A recurring theme today was Odisha’s model of one state promoting one sport. Is this a viable path forward for Olympic sports looking for business investment?

A: It’s a very sensible and brilliant idea. India is a vast country where different regions naturally produce different types of athletes: wrestling in one state, archery or weightlifting in another. By concentrating investments on a specific sport, athlete-oriented, results-oriented projects can be realized. I would be happy if more states adopted football. Nowadays, children are more attracted to smartphones and indoor games; football can help them return to a healthy, active life.

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Q: We see global giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid fielding teams for both genders. In India, some clubs such as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have followed suit. Should more concentrated efforts be made to make this mandatory for all clubs?

A: Absolute. Clubs are the key stakeholders because they have year-round competitions and have a steady fan base. If a popular club with a huge following starts a women’s team, it will naturally attract more fans and interest from the business community. It helps us create more idols. The AIFF consistently encourages clubs to expand their footprint in women’s football to help it grow.

Q: The Indian Super League (ISL) has had a turbulent start this year, especially in terms of the search for a commercial partner and a noticeable decline in stadium attendance in hubs like Kochi. How does the AIFF deal with this?

A: We went through seven months of uncertainty, and the fans felt it. If there is no football for so long, stakeholders become worried. People weren’t sure if the league would start or if it would be sanctioned by the AFC. As a result, some clubs released star players or faced financial challenges.

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However, football fans are resilient. We are organizing an India match (against Hong Kong) in Kochi after ten years, which will inspire the local fans to return. Once the pace starts again, I believe normalcy will return.

Q: While the women’s and youth teams are process-driven, the men’s national team remains the main spectacle for fans, and recent results have been disappointing. How important is their immediate recovery to the health of the sport?

A: Winning is the most organic way to attract fans. The Indian cricket team is popular because they win consistently. Once we start winning, the turnout will multiply. Our technical staff is currently investigating why the team has underperformed in recent matches. Khalid Jamil has proven himself in club football; he works hard and is dedicated. I believe his leadership will bring the necessary change to the national team.

Published on March 24, 2026