India's Club vs Country reloaded

For a few summers the Club vs Country debate had not been held in the Indian off-season, but it now is back in 2012. India is set to play in the 2012 Nehru Cup from August 23 to September 2 with a camp called under new national coach Wim Koevermans from July 27 onwards.

The I-League clubs under the banner of the newly formed I-League Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) are saying that they will release players from their pre-season preparations only two weeks ahead of the Nehru Cup as per FIFA guidelines for releasing of players for international tournaments.

On Sunday former captain Baichung Bhutia had something interesting to say on this matter in Kolkata, "We can not compare ourselves with the players in Germany, Spain and European nations as their two week-time is enough. But for Indians we know that we need more and more training to do well in any international tournament."

And Baichung went on to say, "All should also support newly appointed AIFF's senior coach Wim Koevermans as his experience would surely help Indian football!"

Before ending by saying, "I being a player and owner of a club must make some contribution to the football and being part of the national side is the best opportunity one should have for all round development of the game."

Baichung has a very valid point here which the I-League clubs simply cannot ignore. FIFA's international calendar is mainly intended for European football, then the FIFA match dates - qualifiers, friedlies and tournaments have to be in sync with UEFA and their competitions plus the country leagues across the continent.

Especially in Asia and Africa it is rather a problem, then the calendar would be a little different if there weren't all these global FIFA match dates on which national teams play. Or e.g. why are clubs in Europe always angry about the African Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup taking place in January, while many of their leagues are running.

One can only hope that sense prevails and the players are released on time, so Wim Koevermans can get his best squad together for his first assignment or India will suffer at the Nehru Cup, which it has won on the last couple of occasions.