Early commit in the game of life

"Your son commits too early", said the football coach when I inquired about my 11 year old son's game. I am sure it meant something in football parlance but nothing to me! So, my quest to learn the game of football started. But, alas even Google could not help me. 

Later, I found out it is very regional phrase used by coaches in that academy and not a global footbal coaching language!! According to him, my son gives up too quickly when he loses control of the ball to opponent team/player. "He needs to follow through and try hard to get the ball back", the coach elaborated. I thought only strategy consultants used jargon, I was wrong!

I continued with my morning jog and circled back to the spot where my fellow football parents had huddled. There was some serious discussion going on about the effort all kids were putting and how they all aspired to play in big European Football Leagues. But, most parents seemed to be unhappy with the level of exposure these kids were getting through school or the football academy. One parent even suggested that he started exploring options to change schools to one that focuses on football! 

Sports as a profession is only recently getting acceptance in India. Historically, only cricket enjoyed that privilege. But, thanks to Indian Super League and investment in infrastructure football is getting it's due recognition. But there is a long way to go. India just about managed to get into the top 100 ranking of football playing nations! 

It will be another decade or two before Messi or Ronaldo like player evolves from Indian football grounds. I heard another parent say, "My son is crazy about the game and is even ready to quit school and pursue the game fulltime. I am totally fine with that".

On one hand it was encouraging to see new generation of parents warming up to sports as a career. The flip side being the lack of affordable and accessible professional academies within every neighborhood. So, it is a bit of a gamble for parents in India who are at crossroads to put their hard earned money on their kid's passion in a sport! Unless these kids develop the ability to follow through and fight really hard it might become a case of early commit, not just in football but in life too! 

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