Research project comissioned to explore organisational culture, developmental pathways and high performance in Indian football

March 31, 2024
Kolkata, India

The governing body of the Indian Sport Management Association (INSMA) has voted in favour to commission a research project that will examine the organisational culture, governance structures, and high-performance standards within Indian football. In a recent meeting held on March 28, 2024, the governing body voted overwhelmingly in favor of commissioning a comprehensive review to better understand and enhance the landscape of Indian football.

Over the last few years, Indian football has gone through a considerable change with minimal improvement in on-field performance. The performance by the Indian men’s national team in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 (held in 2024) was a step-down from the performance in AFC Asian Cup 2023. Furthermore, the men’s national team has failed to gain results against other national teams that are ranked 30-50 places below them on a consistent basis. At the same time, there have been multiple instances of poor governance practices within the women’s game as well. 

The INSMA intends to engage with reputable experts and stakeholders within the Indian football community to conduct this review thoroughly. The insights gathered from this process will inform recommendations and strategies aimed at fostering a more robust and conducive environment for football development and success across all levels. A three member committee comprising of a former international footballer, an academic researcher and a sports lawyer will be formed to conduct this research.

The INSMA will provide further updates on the progress of the formation of the committee by April 30, 2024. The research is aimed to be completed by June 30, 2026 and final reports published before December 31, 2026. Stakeholders and the broader football community are encouraged to contact research@insma.in if they are willing to contribute to this project.