Over dependence on foreign players hampering Indian football: Ian Gillan
Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC coach Ian Gillan argues that over-reliance on foreign players in Indian football leagues hinders the development of local talent. He advocates for policies like those in the Super League Kerala that mandate the inclusion of young native players.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing debate in emerging sports markets regarding the balance between importing high-level talent and fostering domestic player growth.
The over dependence on foreign players in domestic leagues is hampering the growth of Indian football, according to Ian Andrew Gillan, the newly appointed head coach of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC during an interaction with the media here on Monday evening.
“In all domestic leagues in India including the ISL and IFL, the key players are foreign stars. This hinders the development of Indian players. The main objective of these leagues should be to nurture the Indian players,’’ said Gillan who guided Calicut FC to the title in the inaugural edition of Super League Kerala (SLK).
Gillan pointed out that SLK was different from other leagues in this regard as the onus was on player development.
“The SLK rule that mandates two native under-23 players in the playing XI helps in their development and creates players of international standards. I talk from my own experience.
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