Waste of Talent: spotting the problem and fixing it
You've seen it — a young player shines in local games, then disappears. That’s what people mean by "waste of talent." On this tag page we look at where talent slips through the cracks and what actually works to keep promising players on track.
Where talent gets wasted
First, opportunity is uneven. Good coaches, proper fields and regular competition exist only in certain cities and schools. If you’re outside those circles, chances are you don’t get noticed. Second, the focus on academics over sports pushes many kids away from training just when they start improving. Third, weak talent ID and club systems mean late bloomers are often ignored. Finally, politics, bad management and short-term thinking at some associations stop players from getting consistent game time.
Look at examples people talk about: youth who shine in school or college games but never make the next step, or players who burn out because of poor training loads. Even national-level pathways like Ranji or ISL can miss players who need patient development instead of instant results.
How to stop wasting talent — practical steps
Fixing this doesn’t need magic. It needs clear actions everyone can take:
- Start earlier and smarter. Schools and local clubs must run weekly training with basic skills and fitness, not occasional coaching camps.
- Scout broadly. District and city scouts should cover school tournaments, college games and local leagues, not just big academies.
- Give playing time, not just praise. Young players improve by playing matches. Clubs should loan young players to lower divisions so they get real minutes.
- Strengthen coaching. Train coaches in basics: injury prevention, age-appropriate loads, and simple drills. A good coach at age 13 makes a huge difference by 18.
- Create clear pathways. Map how a kid moves from school to college to club to pro. When a player and family see the route, they stay committed.
- Backers and scholarships. Financial support keeps players in the sport. Even small stipends for travel and diet remove big barriers.
- Mental support and career planning. Not everyone becomes a pro. Offer education and job skills alongside sport so families feel safe backing athletes.
If you follow matches here on ISL Live Coverage, look beyond scores. Watch youth tournaments, note which clubs run good academies, and support local programs. Fans can push clubs to sign local talent and give them game time. Journalists and bloggers can highlight players who deserve a shot.
Wasting talent isn’t a mystery — it’s a system problem. Change the system with better coaching, broader scouting, clear pathways and financial support, and a lot fewer bright kids will vanish from the game.
