A CONVERSATION WITH BHAICHUNG BHUTIA – FOOTBALL, SPONSORSHIPS, SPORTS BETTING

When talking about Indian football, very few names pop out as much as Bhaichung Bhutia’s – arguably one of the country’s finest ever footballers to have graced the pitches across India and beyond.

Earlier this month, SportsKhabri had the honour of sitting with the Sikkimese Sniper himself and hear his views on the current Indian footballing scenario. Focusing on brand sponsorships within the game, Mr. Bhutia talks about how the brands’ outlook towards the game has changed over the last years, how they affect the game, and a need of open communication between the sport authorities and brands to facilitate more collaborations. He also recounts his own experience of getting that very first sponsor, and how football in general is looked at differently by kids and their parents as a veritable career option. He goes on to opine about the need for sports betting to be legalised and regulated within the country and the many advantages that could bring.