Indian football needs a vision to move ahead, says Ryan Giggs

Arun S Kaimal
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Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs on Friday compared Twenty20 cricket with futsal and said that the format is quick and instant, unlike 90-minute football. The former Red Devil also said that Indian football needs a long-term and short-term vision to move ahead in the sport.

Ryan Giggs is currently in India, and he is playing in the ongoing Premier Futsal League with the Mumbai 5s. The former Wales International led the team from the front and has guided Mumbai into the semi-final, where they will take on Kolkata 5s today. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, the Manchester United legend spoke about what India needs to do to move ahead in football.

"First of all, you need a vision, a short-term vision, and a long-term vision and you stick to that vision. You need the interest and so this is what we are trying to do with Futsal," Giggs said when asked what is needed for India to move ahead the ranks in football.

First of all, you need a vision, a short-term vision, and a long-term vision and you stick to that vision. You need the interest and so this is what we are trying to do with Futsal.

"Get more interest within the game, within football within the younger generation. In Wales it's quite similar, we have rugby and football and in India, it is cricket and cricket is the main sport, also there are a lot of people who enjoy watching and playing football as well," he told reporters on Friday, reported PTI.

The 42-year-old also pointed to the success of Iceland and Wales in the Euros and said that as long as you have the vision, you can be successful.

"Coaching needs to be right, so the young players need the right education and coaching and facilities, but you need a vision and someone to have that vision and implement it. You have seen with Iceland, you have seen with Wales, as long as you have vision and you stick to it, you can be successful,” said Giggs.

We have seen how Twenty20 format has brought younger people, a newer audience to cricket. Hopefully, this will be the same for futsal because it is quick. It is similar to Twenty20 cricket, it's instant and different from 90-minute football.

The former Manchester United assistant manager also compared futsal with T20 cricket and said that it is quick and instant.

"We have seen how Twenty20 format has brought younger people, a newer audience to cricket. Hopefully, this will be the same for futsal because it is quick. It is similar to Twenty20 cricket, it's instant and different from 90-minute football," said Giggs.

When asked about his motive in coming to India and taking part in the tournament, Giggs said, "There are number of reasons. First I had never been to India before so I was quite keen to come to India. Also, I like the concept, the legends (taking part), the futsal players and also local talent," he told reporters.

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