It may be hard to believe, but the Indian football team once reached the semifinals of the Olympic Games in 1956. However, the current standard of the Indian football team has fallen below expectations compared to its past achievements. To regain its former glory, planned and systematic development is required. Former international legend and former chairman of the technical committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Shyam Thapa, revealed these insights in an interview with Sports Champ Magazine.
Thapa, a member of the Asian Games bronze medallist team and the Merdeka Tournament bronze medallist Indian team in 1970, has played many international matches. He also represented renowned clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, playing a pivotal role in their success in national-level competitions. One of his most memorable moments was scoring a goal through a bicycle kick, leading Mohun Bagan to a crucial victory against their traditional rivals, East Bengal, in August 1978. Thapa’s expertise in scoring goals, including the scissor kick, has made him famous. As the chairman of the AIFF technical committee, he introduced innovative changes to the sport.
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This story is from the August 2023 edition of Sports Champ.
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