Footballers jumping for the ball during a training session in India. The players wear ankle supports instead of boots. Playing in bare feet, two members of India’s Olympic football team practice at the Imber Court Sports Club for their match on July 16th, 1948 with the Metropolitan police. Left of right: S. Mahalall, center forward; and S. Nandy, outside left. All members of the Indian team, except the goalie, play in stocking feet if the ground is hard. India players walk out at Ilford for their match against France, the majority of them bootless .
Football has a long and illustrious history in India, as it was once the national sport. The motivation behind this was to bring the Indian Army together. Since at least 1949, there is evidence of officiated team football games being played in the Indian Army. India is home to some of the world’s oldest football clubs, as well as the Durand Cup, the world’s third-oldest championship. There was a time when football was very popular in India. The “Brazilians of Asia” was the nickname given to India’s football team.
In the mid-nineteenth century, British soldiers brought football to India. Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari’s efforts helped it spread. The Durand Cup was established in 1888.