With the future of Indian football pending resolution and the upcoming season suspended indefinitely, Sunil Chhetri has stepped up to address growing anxiety across the footballing community. The 40-year-old took to social media with a heartfelt message directed at the players, support staff, and all those whose livelihoods depend on the sport. The Indian Super League (ISL), which was set to begin pre-season shortly, has been put on hold amid ongoing discussions between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partners over the league’s structure and finances. The delay, which began as a two-week postponement, has now stretched into an indefinite suspension, triggering concern and confusion across clubs.Chhetri began his post on a X with a light note, writing, ” When my phone went off a few weeks ago informing us of a delay in pre-season by a fortnight, I must admit it made me smile. And that’s because I was on vacation, hadn’t moved as much as I would have liked to, and hadn’t been eating as clean as I usually do. I had more time than I had bargained to get in shape.”“But that smile didn’t last. That ‘fortnight’ has now changed to ‘indefinitely’ and that smile’s been wiped out. It began with worrying about how I am on borrowed time with what I have left in the tank. But speaking with players from across clubs, I’ve realised that my selfish problem isn’t as important.” The veteran striker admitted that concern is widespread, not just among footballers but across the vast network of backroom staff that keeps the league running . “Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,” he wrote. Acknowledging the efforts being made by the administrators, Chhetri remained hopeful for a resolution. “I know that the think tank and all those involved in running the sport are working to get the football season up and running, and I’m hopeful that there is a solid fix sooner rather than later.”The player once again called for calm and perseverance, saying that football ‘will’ resume soon in the country.
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“I may not have all the answers, but my message to all those involved with Indian football – and more importantly the ones whose livelihood depends on it… please stay calm. We’ll ride this storm together. Stick together and look out for each other. Keep training and getting better. Football has to resume soon. It will.”From physios and masseurs to operations staff, kitmen, medical teams and production crews, an entire network of professionals exist, whose livelihood and income banks on whether the top football division in the country gets back on track or not.
