Last Updated: February 23, 2023, 19:06 IST
Indian males’s soccer workforce head coach Igor Stimac (AIFF)
Indian males’s soccer workforce head coach Igor Stimac feels the revival of the Santosh Trophy is the necessity of the hour
The Santosh Trophy is a event steeped in historical past, and because it ventures into newer territories, that of Riyadh Saudi Arabia, the place the semi-finals, third place match, and last will probably be held. The Federation, with it’s new strategic roadmap illuminated by Vision 2047, is on a path to revive the Santosh Trophy, one thing that Indian males’s soccer workforce head coach Igor Stimac feels is the necessity of the hour.
“The Santosh Trophy has traditionally been the most passionate tournament in the country, and I hope this is something that brings passion, emotion, and competition between the state associations. That’s why it is always exciting,” stated Stimac. “Santosh Trophy is something we need to rebuild in a way that it becomes the most important tournament in our country.”
From 36 states within the Group Stage, 10 progressed to the Final Round in Odisha, with Services and Railways becoming a member of with direct entry. The 4 finest groups from the Final Round will now play the semi-finals and last on the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
“It’s amazing how everything has been organised for these matches to be played in Saudi Arabia. It’s an amazing opportunity for all the teams that would play in the final stages of the tournament,” stated Stimac. “I feel that it would serve as a great initial exposure for the players. They have some great infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, and some great pitches. This is the perfect opportunity for them to show how well they can do.”
Over the years, the Senior Men’s National Team has seen many gamers come by from the Santosh Trophy. The likes of Jeje Lalpekhlua, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad are only a few examples in recent times. If one goes again to the instances when it was the head of all home competitions, the Santosh Trophy boasted of worldwide stars aplenty.
Now with gamers outdoors the ISL and the I-League getting the chance on this legacy competitors, Stimac feels that the chance is rife for the taking, from the angle of the gamers.
“Al though the Santosh Trophy has changed in regards to which player can play, it’s still very important for the players who are not in the I-League or ISL,” stated Stimac. “It’s a platform for them to show their technical and tactical abilities. Tomorrow they can be scouted by an ISL or I-League club and then go on to play for them, which would bring them to the attention of the national coach.
“The Santosh Trophy is ultimately helping the national team coach, and I hope that it will keep giving us more names in the ISL and I-League in the future,” he stated. “I invite everyone to come and support the teams.”
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