Star striker Bhaichung Bhutia, who led the LG Cup winning Indian team, today said players and officials needed to capitalise on the Vietnam triumph to further develop soccer in the country."Earlier, we were not getting due respect as footballers. But the tremendous victory in Vietnam seems to have opened new vistas for soccer in the country," Bhutia said at a press conference here after he was formally presented the number 15 jersey of Mohun Bagan."It is now upto the players and all others connected with the game to find out ways of capitalising on the good showing of the Indian team," he said. The Sikkimese upfronter, who scored two goals in the final of the six-nation tournament in Vietnam, adroitly parried questions on the constant tussle between clubs and AIFF on utilising the services of players called for national duty."This problem has to be sorted out by the federation and the club. We (the players) do not want to get involved. We only want to play well and enjoy," he said.He said players have often ended up as victims of such tussles though they were not a party to the disputes. "We don’t have anyone to speak for us," he regretted.Asked whether he favoured the formation of a players’ association, Bhutia said "I have been thinking about this for a long time, but there is no possibility of forming such a forum immediately." Asked how he could contribute to the development of the game in the country after his stint in England, Bhutia said "if any player comes to me for advice I can help him. Already I have shared my experiences with the under-23 youngsters in the national side." Meanwhile, Bhutia today formally returned to Indian club soccer after a three year hiatus by signing for Mohun Bagan.
