RIYADH: It’s not always that India hosts its national championships on foreign soil. In fact, this is a first for any sport in the country.
The All India Football Federation’s decision to move the semi-finals and final of the Santosh Trophy to Saudi Arabia has given the national football championship a different direction.
The feeling, for most footballers, is surreal since the championship now includes lesser-known players. For some years now, the AIFF has stopped players from India’s top two leagues – Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League – from participating in national championships.
“The whole team is very excited to be a part of this historic tournament,” said Services head coach MG Ramachandran. “We have come prepared to give our best in the semi-finals and have our eyes on the trophy. We want to go home with our prize.”
Services, Karnataka, Punjab and first-time semi-finalists Meghalaya have taken the long road away from home as they prepare to go head-to-head in their quest to win the Santosh Trophy in Riyadh.
The teams will need to acclimatise quickly as the knockouts get under way at the King Fahd International Stadium here on Wednesday.
Eight- time winners Punjab take on Meghalaya, while Services battle Karnataka.
The two losing semi-finalists will face each other in the third-place match on Saturday at 6pm while the final will be held later at 9pm.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. Everyone is excited and gearing up for the semi-final. I can see that the boys are going to experience something very different,” said Meghalaya coach Khlain Syiemlieh, happy with the underdogs tag, having come so far for the first time.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the venue for the national championships may have raised eyebrows in some quarters but the Asian powerhouse is taking rapid strides in world sports, having hosted several high-profile events in recent times.
At the World Cup 2022, Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina, and even though they did not make it to the knockout stage, the world had taken note of The Falcons.
Once the World Cup concluded, Saudi Arabia sprang another surprise, this time luring Cristiano Ronaldo to the gulf nation.
The Portuguese superstar, among the world’s best -known footballers, signed for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in a move that grabbed eyeballs and thrust the nation and the league into sharp focus.
Now, Saudi Arabia is hosting the Santosh Trophy, India’s oldest national championship. Over to the players to grab the limelight.
(The writer is in Saudi Arabia on an invitation from the AIFF)
