Indian Football Market: SWOT Analysis

 “Has the sleeping giant, that is India, begun to stir at last?”   

                                                           - Mr. Sepp Blatter, FIFA President.

In my previous writings I always tried to find out the problems of Indian football and also tried to show the solution of that. After having discussion with problems, solutions possibilities and others things lets sum up all those in this writing and analyze the business opportunity in Indian Football. SWOT analysis is the most important thing  to understand about any business opportunity. Here i do the same, and try to analyze the SWOT of Indian Football.

Indian football is brimming with opportunities however it has its share of obstacles that it must overcome. With the points stated below, I try to point out the opportunities, problems and also the advantages of Indian football. Basically, I present a SWOT analysis of the Indian football.

    STRENGHTS:

• Most number of fresh talented young players in the world
• India’s 2^nd highest viewed game. Had expansion of 60% more viewership in last 5 years. Having a fan base of this game is over 50 million. EPL have around 90 million fan base in India.
• IMG-Reliance tie up with AIFF
• New administrative committee led by Mr.Kushal Das, former CFO of ICC.
• Well structured national league system
• Establishing AIFF controlled 4 regional academies along with 1 master academy with the help of FIFA
• Recent taken steps by AIFF with under-16, 19, 23 teams.
• Recently, Political, Famous, and Rich people are showing interest in football
• Recently AFC guideline being followed
• Glorious history of Indian football

    WEAKNESS:

• Less professional approach by the governing body and the club officials.
• Overall less interest by Indian people for the Indian football (domestic and international).
• Recently less success.
• Less interest by big brands for sponsorships.
• Lesser competitiveness within Indian football.
• Less number of professional players.
• Almost no marketing of Indian football.
• Infrastructural problem.
• Lack of financial support.
• Less media coverage.
• Most Club officials have orthodox thinking to run a football club in India
• No attempt to explore the new avenues for more revenue.

  OPPORTUNITY:

• Recently big corporate houses and NRI investors are showing interest in Indian football.
• Scope of exploring the hidden market.
• Advertisers are showing more interest in Indian football now.
• Recent success of Indian football team in Asian level.
• Recently attracting viewership.
• Recent interest of FIFA and AFC about Indian football.
• Recent meeting between AIFF administrators and IMG-Reliance officers in presence of Mr. Mukesh Ambani about the scope and marketing of Indian football.
• Recently appointed technical director and national team coach, of various age group and senior team and their vision to change the playing style of our national team and towards the other technical things.
• Recently various international clubs are showing interest on Indian players.
• Elite class people are showing interest in Indian football.
• Recent AIFF activities to spread the game within all states in India.
• Following AFC guidelines.

     THREATS:

•  Unsuccessful story of Indian football in recent past.
• Over political interference.
• Too many sub associations of AIFF
• Satisfaction with less success.
• Legislative problem in India

Note:[If any one have any more addition with the above points please add your points as your precious comments.]