Young, aspiring footballers play a match at the Baichung Bhutia Football School at the Jaypee Sports Complex, Greater Noida, New Delhi in May 2012. Many youngsters are avid supporters of European and South American teams, but few dream of playing in their home country of India.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
Young, aspiring footballers play a match at the Baichung Bhutia Football School at the Jaypee Sports Complex, Greater Noida, New Delhi in May 2012. Many youngsters are avid supporters of European and South American teams, but few dream of playing in their home country of India.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The academy was set up by Bhutia, one of India's greatest sporting stars. Pictured here with children at the academy in May 2012, Bhutia had a short spell playing for the English club Bury FC in 1999 and made more than 100 appearances for the national team.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The academy was set up by Bhutia, one of India's greatest sporting stars. Pictured here with children at the academy in May 2012, Bhutia had a short spell playing for the English club Bury FC in 1999 and made more than 100 appearances for the national team.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The 36-year-old Bhutia, who co-owns the I-League club United Sikkim, has several football schools.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The 36-year-old Bhutia, who co-owns the I-League club United Sikkim, has several football schools.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
Former Liverpool and England stars Steve McMahon opened his own football academy in Noida, New Delhi, India. International clubs, such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona are investing in a market of 1.2 billion people where football is the second most popular sport.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
Former Liverpool and England stars Steve McMahon opened his own football academy in Noida, New Delhi, India. International clubs, such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona are investing in a market of 1.2 billion people where football is the second most popular sport.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
Young players train on the grounds of Steve McMahon Football Academy.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
Young players train on the grounds of Steve McMahon Football Academy.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The Manchester United Soccer School in Mumbai pictured during its development stages in May 2012. Head coach Chris O-Brien says: "It's not talent identification -- it's open to all abilities, gender and ages to appreciate what Manchester United is all about. If we develop players from that, fantastic."
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The Manchester United Soccer School in Mumbai pictured during its development stages in May 2012. Head coach Chris O-Brien says: "It's not talent identification -- it's open to all abilities, gender and ages to appreciate what Manchester United is all about. If we develop players from that, fantastic."
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata hosts many of India's international cricket matches. Cricket's popularity is often claimed to overshadow Indian football.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata hosts many of India's international cricket matches. Cricket's popularity is often claimed to overshadow Indian football.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
Kolkata's Saltlake football stadium is one of the largest in Asia, with a capacity of 120,000. Pictured here, supporters of the oldest team in the country -- Mohun Bagan A.C. -- watch their team play an I-League match against Pune F.C in May 2012. Kolkata is the birthplace of Indian football, with British soldiers introducing the sport in the 19th century.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
Kolkata's Saltlake football stadium is one of the largest in Asia, with a capacity of 120,000. Pictured here, supporters of the oldest team in the country -- Mohun Bagan A.C. -- watch their team play an I-League match against Pune F.C in May 2012. Kolkata is the birthplace of Indian football, with British soldiers introducing the sport in the 19th century.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
Outside of Saltlake Stadium, a fan wears the Mohun Bagan A.C. shirt and celebrates the last match of Brazilian player Jose Ramirez Barreto. Thousands of Barreto fans arrived to express their adoration, despite the fact that the revered footballer was simply switching teams and not leaving the game altogether.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
Outside of Saltlake Stadium, a fan wears the Mohun Bagan A.C. shirt and celebrates the last match of Brazilian player Jose Ramirez Barreto. Thousands of Barreto fans arrived to express their adoration, despite the fact that the revered footballer was simply switching teams and not leaving the game altogether.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The All India Football Federation -- AIFF -- headquarters in the sub city of Dwarka in southwest Delhi. The federation has governed Indian football for more than 75 years.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The All India Football Federation -- AIFF -- headquarters in the sub city of Dwarka in southwest Delhi. The federation has governed Indian football for more than 75 years.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The AIFF was responsible for appointing the country's first technical director, Dutchman Rob Baan, in 2011.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The AIFF was responsible for appointing the country's first technical director, Dutchman Rob Baan, in 2011.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
The official emblem of I-League club Mohun Bagan, displayed at its grounds. Established in 1889, Mohun Bagan is the oldest club in India. A derby match against arch rival East Bengal F.C. can pack out the 120,000-capacity Saltlake stadium.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
The official emblem of I-League club Mohun Bagan, displayed at its grounds. Established in 1889, Mohun Bagan is the oldest club in India. A derby match against arch rival East Bengal F.C. can pack out the 120,000-capacity Saltlake stadium.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
A photograph on the wall of the Mohun Bagan headquarters shows club secretary Anjan Mitra greeting legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona on December 6, 2008.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
A photograph on the wall of the Mohun Bagan headquarters shows club secretary Anjan Mitra greeting legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona on December 6, 2008.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
A poster at the Mohun Bagan club grounds celebrates the team's 1911 victory over the East Yorkshire Regiment in the IFA Shield -- one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, organized by Kolkata's IFA (Indian Football Association). The association used to govern the sport in the country, but now manages football in Kolkata.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
A poster at the Mohun Bagan club grounds celebrates the team's 1911 victory over the East Yorkshire Regiment in the IFA Shield -- one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, organized by Kolkata's IFA (Indian Football Association). The association used to govern the sport in the country, but now manages football in Kolkata.
Monica Sarkar/CNN
An old, torn poster hangs on a fence at the Mohun Bagan club grounds, dreaming of qualification of the national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. India has yet to qualify for the tournament, but hopes present developments will ensure its future presence.
The 'sleeping giant' of Indian football —
An old, torn poster hangs on a fence at the Mohun Bagan club grounds, dreaming of qualification of the national team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. India has yet to qualify for the tournament, but hopes present developments will ensure its future presence.
Monica Sarkar/CNN