Bhaichung Bhutia, also spelled as Baichung Bhutia, is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a striker. Bhutia is considered as the torchbearer of Indian football in the international arena. He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his shooting skills in football. Three-time Indian Player of the Year I. M. Vijayan described Bhutia as "God's gift to Indian football".
Association football is one of the most popular sports in India. The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the first FIFA event the country hosted. It was called the most successful FIFA U-17 World Cup ever, with a record-breaking attendance of 1,347,133, exceeding China's record of 1,230,976 from 1985. India also hosted the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and bid to host the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
All India Football Federation, aka AIFF, is the governing body of football, futsal and beach soccer in India. It is a member of FIFA, and is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation.
Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, also known by the nickname Kalo Harin (Blackbuck), is a former professional football player who also captained the India national football team. He played as a striker, where he formed a successful attacking partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia for the India national football team in the late nineties and early 2000s. Vijayan was crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999, the first player to win the award multiple times. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003.
Dr. Ambedkar Stadium is a football stadium in New Delhi, India. The stadium is named after Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, social reformer and architect of the Indian Constitution. It was earlier known as Corporation Stadium. It has held competitions like Delhi Football League, DCM Trophy, Subroto Cup and Durand Cup. It houses offices of Football Delhi, earlier known as Delhi Soccer Association. It was renovated and reopened in 2007 and has a listed capacity of 35,000. The stadium has hosted international football finals such as the 2007 and 2009 Nehru Cup.
The National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, or simply Santosh Trophy, is an inter-state national football competition contested by the state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the sport's governing body in India. Before the launch of the first national club league, the National Football League in 1996, the Santosh Trophy was considered the top domestic tournament in India. Many players who have represented India internationally, played in the Santosh Trophy. The tournament is held every year with eligible teams divided into zones, play in the qualifying round and can progress into the tournament proper.
Climax Lourenco Lawrence is a retired Indian professional football midfielder. He last played for FC Bardez in the Goa Professional League in 2017.
Hindustan Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in New Delhi. Affiliated with Football Delhi (FD), the club last participated in Delhi Premier League.
Kalyan Chaubey is an Indian politician of Bharatiya Janata Party and a former professional football goalkeeper. He is the current president of the All India Football Federation.
Syed Abdul Rahim, popularly known as Rahim Saab, was an Indian football coach and manager of the India national team from 1950 until his death in 1963, and a former player. He is regarded as the architect of modern Indian football. A teacher by profession, he was a strong motivator and his tenure as a coach is regarded as the "golden age" of football in India.
Shabbir Ali is an Indian football manager and former player. He was awarded the Dhyan Chand Award, the highest award in Indian sports for lifetime achievement, given by Government of India in 2011. He is the first footballer to be named for the Dhyan Chand Award.
Savio Medeira is an Indian football manager and former player who is current technical director (interim) of the India national football team. He is currently serving as the technical director of SC de Goa.
Delhi United FC is an Indian professional football club based in New Delhi, that competes in the FD A-Division. They play most of their home games at Ambedkar Stadium.
Harjinder Singh is a former Indian footballer and coach who played and coached all his career for Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Football Club in the I-League.
Women's football in India is growing in popularity under All India Football Federation, despite the earlier long-term governing body's inability to provide sufficient funds for the game.
Jarnail Singh Dhillon was a former Indian football player, who played as a centre-back. He was the captain of the India national football team from 1965 to 1967. He was given the Arjuna Award in 1964 for his achievements as a football player. He also competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Considered as one of Asia's best defenders in the 1960s, he spent most of his career in Mohun Bagan.
Nalapad Ahmed Haris is an Indian businessman, politician and sports administrator. He is a member of the Indian National Congress and has represented the Shanti Nagar Assembly constituency in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly since 2008. He was formerly working as the Chairman of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation.
Lalnghinglova Hmar is the current Minister of State for Labour, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department, Sport & Youth Services Department and Excise & Narcotics Department. He is also currently the MLA for Aizawl West 2 Assembly constituency.
Thongam Tababi Devi is an Indian footballer who plays as a forward. She has been a member of the India women's national team.
Pinky Bompal Magar is an Indian former footballer who played as a forward. She was elected as a member of the technical committee of the All India Football Federation in September 2022.
