Imphal, Oct 6:   A recent statement by All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has sparked criticism, particularly from football fans in Northeast India. Chaubey’s remarks about addressing the “disadvantage” of height in the Indian national team by scouting players from Rajasthan have been called “illogical” and “hurtful” by many in the Northeast football community.

In an open letter from Manipur Football Player, they expressed gratitude for Chaubey’s acknowledgment of the speed and skill of players from the region but disagreed with the focus on height as a limiting factor. They emphasized that football is about more than physical attributes, highlighting agility, technique, and passion as key factors. They also pointed out that Northeast players have consistently excelled at both national and international levels due to their quickness and tactical skills.

The fans urged for a focus on nurturing talent across all regions, rather than fixating on perceived physical limitations. They praised the contributions of Northeast players to the diversity and strength of the national team and expressed confidence that, with continued support, these players would continue to succeed on the international stage.

Chaubey praised Northeast players for their speed and skill but raised concerns about their height being a disadvantage in international games. He suggested that recruiting players from Rajasthan, a region not traditionally known for football, could help overcome this issue.

“What I have noticed is that in the Indian team, we have players from the North-East who have the speed and skill but aren’t that tall. At times, this can be a disadvantage in international games. So we are attempting to address this issue by roping in players from Rajasthan and developing them,” Chaubey stated.

While some football experts agree that height can be an issue in set-pieces and physical midfield play, Chaubey’s comments were seen as undermining the contributions of Northeast players.