‘I feel the women’s football (team) can play the World Cup much before the men’ – Baichung Bhutia makes a big statement regarding India’s chances for qualifying for World Cup

Bhaichung Bhutia is one of the legendary figures in Indian football who recently lost out to Kalyan Chaubey for the position of All India Football Federation (AIFF) President. The star India footballer was also present when the AIFF Executive Committee met yesterday in Bengaluru to decide which teams would play in the 2023–24 I-League directly.

After the AIFF Ex Co meeting, Bhutia expressed his concerns to Sportstar on the issue of unequal funding distribution between state associations and the federation’s failure in implementing the equal pay system for male and female football players by Kalyan Chaubey. The difference between the pay of both the players of the team is significant and the federation should be seriously thinking of ways in order to reduce this deficit.

“States are the ones that produce footballers. I think they are giving 12 lakhs for administrative purposes (salaries). 12 lakhs for all competitions is very less. Though it is good that at least this body has started giving something 12 lakhs to do U-13, U-15, U-17, Junior, Sub-Junior, Women, Santosh Trophy, travel, and kits is not enough. There are a few states that get support from the government like Odisha, and maybe Bengal. But a lot of States don’t get it,” Bhutia said.

I feel the women’s football can play the World Cup much before the men: Bhaichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia also brought up the issue of inadequate funding for grassroots initiatives. He continued by saying that Sunil Chhetri's name was not on the shortlist for "Footballer of the Year." The legendary Indian footballer also said that the Women's Football team can represent India in World Cups way before Men’s team actually does. And that shouldn’t bother the fans either as at the end of the day it's an Indian team who is playing in the World Cups and hence Women's Football should be looked into seriously.

“I feel the women’s football (team) can play the World Cup much before the men. When the President is saying we will pay equal salaries, that is just happening in the media and not in reality. Valanka , who is in charge of women’s football, also made a lot of complaints and suggestions,” Bhutia revealed.

India plays Kuwait in the final of the 2023 SAFF Championship on July 4. When questioned about the development of the Blue Tigers, Bhutia lauded the Croat's head coach Igor Stimac and the effort he has put in, acknowledging that the Croat has occasionally been unlucky in terms of results.