The AFL International Cup is an international sport competition which was started in 2002. It is held once in every three years and is currently coordinated by the Australian Football League’s game development arm. 
AFL International Cup 2017 Source: AFL
Indian started participating in the competition from 2008 onwards. Members from Essendon and Richmond Clubs had visited India to get the game going in the country.
According to Samrat Sharma, one of team India’s players, there are around five to six thousand people in India that are currently registered as AFL players. Although they play in small teams and clubs within the country, they love the sport and are very enthusiastic about it.
Team India consists of thirty players in total out of which 12 are locals from Australia with Indian background and 18 have arrived from India. Most of the players from India come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have been selected after local competition rounds in India.
AFL India Source: Facebook
AFL Team India Source: Supplied
“Through AFL we want to give those people a chance to represent their country in sports who had never even dreamt of coming this far.” - Samrat Sharma
Even though all efforts are made to train the Indian players in footy and give them the coaching that is required, it still does not match up to the training standards of Australia. According to Samrat, one of the reasons is lack of experience of Indian players.
“We have been playing and watching footy for the past ten or fifteen years and we have a lot of experience in playing the sport and handling the ball, but the Indian players don’t have the comfort of experience”
AFL Team India Source: Supplied
The players from India arrived in Australia last week and have spent a week in Bendigo with the Golden Square Football Club. They have met with the local team players in Bendigo and attended a team building and training session together. According to Samrat, the players from India are picking up more pointers and knowledge as they go.
It is a matter of immense honour for all the players to represent Indian in AFL International Club.
AFL Team India Source: Supplied
“I can’t tell you how proud I feel to wear the Indian blazer. It has been our dream to represent India in AFL. We are very emotionally involved in this game” - Samrat Sharma
The condition for local players to participate in this tournament is that they should have been born in India.
This competition does not only give an opportunity to the players to represent their country but can also open up other opportunities and avenues for them to move forward in the game at a professional level. Samrat mentions that scouts from various clubs are present at all matches and they observe the game and get in touch with players who they think have potential and offer them to work as a rookie with their club.
Players from China and Ireland are already getting opportunities and one of the coaching staff members from Indian team is also already working with Essendon Club.
Not only this, players have an opportunity to slowly move into coaching positions or managing positions back in their own countries and make a living while promoting the game.
Team Indian will play its next match against Germany in a community round at Keysborough on 9th August.
Team India match schedule Source: Supplied
The match to look out for, however, is the India VS Pakistan which will be played on 11th August (Friday) at 7:30 PM in Bendigo. Indian and Pakistan both will be playing for ‘Dosty Cup’ which was formed when both these teams played a match against each other in 2014.
India VS Pakistan Source: Facebook
Samrat mentions that the club has had good support from the community so far and they even have had airline tickets and food sponsored for the players.
One thing he requests from the Indian community is for more support on the field.
“I would like to encourage and request people to come and support us. It makes a big difference to a player to have support on the side lines and we can play with extra enthusiasm if we have that community support behind us” - Samrat Sharma
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