“Messi, Maradona, Chhetri, Bhaichung, Krishnanu Dey, and Suarez were not giants. What you need is technical ability,” said Pradyot Debbarma.
The recent remark of Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about the height of football players from northeast has snowballed into a big controversy and Chaubey has drawn a lot of flak from football fans and experts from the region.
While praising the speed and talent of Northeast players, Chaubey suggested that their height could be a disadvantage in international competitions and proposed scouting taller players from regions like Rajasthan to address this concern.
Reacting sharply, Moirangthem Manimohon Singh, a football enthusiast from Manipur with over two decades of experience, described Chaubey’s comments as “unfortunate.” Speaking to Northeast Live, Singh criticized the focus on physical attributes, stating, “While height can be an advantage, the true qualities of a footballer are their discipline, dedication, and skill.”
Singh mentioned legendary players Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, both under six feet tall, who have proved that extraordinary talent surpasses physical limitations. Citing the 2022 FIFA World Cup final where Argentina, a relatively shorter team, defeated a taller French side, Singh emphasized that skill wins matches, not height. He highlighted that Manipur has consistently produced top football talent, with over 50 players currently playing in leagues such as the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League. “Height is not a barrier to greatness,” Singh stressed.
Tipra Motha founder and Tripura Royal Scion Pradyot Debbarma too criticized Chaubey’s remarks.
“Messi, Maradona, Chhetri, Bhaichung, Krishnanu Dey, and Suarez were not giants. What you need is technical ability. A tall player who can’t pass won’t help you,” Pradyot posted on social media.
He further pointed out that some of the best defenders in football history, like Alessandro Nesta and Roberto Carlos, were not particularly tall but excelled due to their skills. Pradyot also praised the success of Japan and South Korea’s national teams, which rely more on technical prowess than height.
Habamutlang Lyngdoh, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Shillong Lajong Football Club, echoed similar sentiments, saying he was surprised by the AIFF president’s statement. “The number of Northeast players in the national team shows that talent plays a bigger role than height,” Lyngdoh said in an interview with Northeast Live. He added that countries like Chile, Uruguay, and Spain, which don’t have many tall players, have still achieved great success in football.
Lyngdoh also shared his optimism for Meghalaya’s football future, noting that football in the state is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life.
He acknowledged that Shillong Lajong has seen significant national-level achievements but stressed the need for better training facilities to compete on the international stage. “We need to focus on grassroots development, and the government is making positive steps toward this vision,” Lyngdoh added.
In a boost to the state’s football ambitions, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma recently announced a Local Football Club Support Scheme to help nurture local talent.
