The Tacticians spoke with Ranjit Bajaj (Ex-India U19 Footballer and Owner of Delhi FC and Minerva Academy) in an exclusive interview.

Below are some of his excerpts from the Interview.

On the important for Indian clubs to have a tie-up with Foreign Clubs.

RB: “Tie-ups are just waste until the Foreign clubs train our players and coaching staffs on their academies. We will do only if they help in developing our players and coaches and not just ask for help from us in promoting their brand in India. So once a good project comes, we will definitely go out for that”

Ranjit Bajaj shared his opinion on if he thinks that India will qualify for FIFA World Cup once it is expanded to 48 teams.

RB: “We should not wait for being the hosts. We should prove ourselves and try to qualify by merit. For that, our players need more game time. I am not saying for the World Cup alone but for other championships too.”

On why Indian Clubs aren’t doing good enough in the continental tournaments.

RB: “Our players didn’t get enough game time in our leagues and foreigners’ rule is also a problem to why we don’t perform well in the continental tournaments.”

About his opinion on Indian national team head coach Igor Stimac.

RB: “Any coach needs at least one month for the preparatory Camp for his team to perform well. Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh prepared for SAFF Cup, one month prior to the start of the competition. They played better than us. So, the coach doesn’t get much time for the preparation and hence I don’t blame him.”

On who can be the next Legend of Indian Football.

RB: “There were two Indian players (Bikash Yumnam and Himangshu Jhangra) who were included in “The Guardian’ Top 60 Football Players in World” alongside top players like Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and others. So my predictions are those who are named on the list will be legends of Indian Football in the coming days. I expect both of them to play in Europe in the future.”

On what he thinks of the Indian Women team’s unexpected and early exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022.

RB: “I am feeling very sad. Just think about the girl’s hard work, it’s totally wasted. Coach Dennerby’s words are to rescue AIFF from shame. So, it’s not AFC, it is our very own AIFF who is the culprit for this shambolic massacre! They must have ensured a safe bubble for the girls because they are the hosts. Anyway, our girls lost a chance to expose themselves.”

On what he thinks of the denial of Delhi FC from Futsal Championship.

RB: “It was just another injustice to us. If they wouldn’t allow us to play for the Futsal Championship, then why did they start a National League. If AIFF didn’t nominate Delhi FC for AFC Club Futsal Championship then what’s the use of holding a Futsal Club Championship. AIFF just basically killed all of our dreams with their denial. Some of the players from our team could’ve earned a living by joining with other Futsal teams in other countries.”

Bajaj elaborated about Minerva Super League which is set to start soon.

RB: “Minerva Super League will be a totally different tournament from what you really expect. You will see an entirely different structure. It will be taking place in a bubble. It includes fictional teams like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, Manchester United, and some other top European clubs.”

“It will be something where fans can watch them play wearing jerseys which they can relate to with real identity. Our side (Minerva Academy) will be the U-15 side. They will be playing against the seniors. Also, it will be a place where some young talents get a chance to expose themselves to the world. It will be streamed by Sports Cast, which is one of the top live sports streamers in India.”

For grassroots development, India needs to have qualified coaches but there’s no platform for new coaches starting out in India. What are his thoughts about it and how we can solve this issue?

RB: “If you want to develop players from the grassroots level, you need qualified coaches. Currently taking a coaching career is not affordable for most. Some do not get access to it. To become an A-Licensed coach (without failing any), an average person has to pay around 10 Lakhs for the classes, traveling and that cost will be more if they opt to complete abroad.“

“Most aspirants give up their coaching badge till B-License just because of the costs required to upgrade to A-License. He has inquired the AIFF to use their facilities to provide coaching education without any cost and give benefits for aspiring coaches like discounts & free of cost for top aspirants. Minerva Academy was able to give coaching education for just Rs.5000 which is the least.”

On his Future Plans of Minerva Academy and Delhi FC.

RB: “Minerva’s main aim is to raise unknown footballers from villagers and poor regions for free. We have world-class facilities in our academy. We are now training young kids with the dream of playing in the World Cup. We haven’t limited it to young children alone, many grown-ups (with an age of 20-23) are also here. We are providing them also the facilities because some perform more in 20-23 years of age.”

“About Delhi FC, we are very keen on providing game time for Indian Players and proving themselves and thereby playing in ISL, which is their dream. Currently, many Minerva Academy Graduates are playing in ISL and some players of Delhi are loaned too. We will continue it.”

On what makes him criticize AIFF constantly.

RB: “Firstly, I need to see Football being more developed in India. In the list of universal sports, we are top in almost all the sports except Football. We need a change. Secondly, I don’t need people who are working for money in Indian Football, I need those who are sincere and honest, who are responsible for their work.”

“Due to a lack of responsibility, our girls lost a wonderful chance to showcase their talents to the world. It should not be repeated again. We need responsible people. So, I feel that I should respond and ensure they are functioning properly.”

On the need and the urgency for elections in the AIFF Council.

RB: “Yes, of course, elections are needed. I don’t want one-man leadership for Indian Football. More people who can lead us honestly and responsibly should come to leadership. There should be a complete change in the current leadership.”

Ranjit spoke on if he would like to contest for the AIFF Presidential elections.

RB: “NO! I have some reasons for that. Firstly, now I am concentrated mainly on Grassroot Development. If I am elected or I decide to contest, it may be lost. So, I opt not to contest now. Secondly, it involves political powerplay. Here the council is elected by State FA’s not by football fans. State Federations are also controlled by the same people. So, I have to run behind them and lead them to vote for me. So, my dream of developing players will be lost and the entire plan will be ruined.”

On if he is satisfied with the current league system in Indian Football.

RB: “No I am very unhappy with the current league system of India because it is completely opposite to what it should have been. There should be an increase in the number of teams as it goes down below in the lower divisions. In our case, it’s the complete opposite scenario. The ISL has the most number of the team while I-League and 2^nd division I-League has lesser teams.”

“Our league system isn’t good at all. We don’t have promotions and relegation. They don’t provide enough game time for players. There are many players whose talents are unseen (and not able to play for Indian NT) just because they are playing in Second Division (I – League). They have to wait till one year and finally transferred to an ISL club and get their dream to succeed. It should be changed. Also, bringing back leagues like Super Cup will give them enough game time.”

Are you happy with the overall performance of Delhi FC and Minerva Academy?

RB: “Yes, Delhi FC, this season just lost the promotion by a narrow margin. We were able to beat ISL clubs in Durand and were able to reach the quarterfinals. We also won three trophies (two states and one national). I am very happy and we will try to continue it. We had some good young players from the academy who took part in the I-League qualifiers and also the Durand Cup. The kids got chances to expose them in tournaments. I believe they all will once play in the top tier sooner or later.”

What does he think about India’s upcoming international friendlies against Belarus and Bahrain in March?

RB: “I am very happy. AIFF did something good for the players but it should be continued. Not just limit it to one or two. We should play more Friendlies.”

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