Ranjit Bajaj: On Indian Football Truth, Mafia, AIFF, ISL Crisis & FIFA Ban |Simarpreet Singh TJWS#49

Welcome to Episode #49 of: The Journey Podcast with Simarpreet Singh (TJWS).

🎙️ Today’s episode features RANJIT BAJAJ, Founder & Owner of Minerva Academy FC — one of the most influential and outspoken voices in Indian football, known for building champions at the grassroots level and fearlessly questioning the system.

In this powerful, no-holds-barred conversation, we dive deep into the real state of Indian football, its failures, politics, economics, and the vision required to take India to the global stage:

🔹 Ranjit Bajaj’s journey into football
🔹 Why India is failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup
🔹 The truth behind FIFA’s 2034 World Cup goal for India
🔹 AIFF (All India Football Federation): structure, problems & accountability
🔹 Why Minerva Academy keeps winning national titles
🔹 Grassroots vs glamour leagues — where India is going wrong
🔹 Unit economics of Minerva Academy FC
🔹 Messi in India — hype vs reality
🔹 Why FIFA banned India & what really happened
🔹 Why sponsors are scared to invest in Indian football
🔹 Being “too vocal” — does it cost Indian football reformers?
🔹 ISL controversy & the uncertain future of Indian Super League
🔹 What must change if India wants global football respect

This episode is raw, controversial, and extremely important for anyone who cares about Indian football, sports governance, youth development, or nation building through sports.

🎬 *CHAPTERS*
0:00 Precap & Intro
3:42 Why Ranjit Bajaj Is Making Headlines
6:53 What’s Wrong With AIFF & Indian Football?
15:30 Why AIFF Banned Ranjit Bajaj
19:10 Big Dream: India at the FIFA World Cup 2034
22:00 How Minerva Academy FC Wins So Consistently
27:35 The Blueprint for India to Qualify for the World Cup
32:18 What Happened When Bajaj Met Messi
34:05 Will Minerva Boys Play the MIC Cup?
40:20 Indian Football vs Japan Football: The Real Gap
43:14 The Minerva Formula for Excellence & Success
51:05 Why Punjab FC Was Sold?
53:28 Cricket vs Football in India: Associations & Franchise Fees
57:25 Why FIFA Banned India?
1:00:20 Why Football Struggles to Get Sponsors?
1:11:38 Can Indian Football Become Sustainable?
1:14:00 Is the Future of ISL Uncertain?
1:24:20 Should Youth Choose Sports Careers? Money & Reality
1:25:45 Closing Thoughts & Takeaways
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The Journey with Simarpreet Singh brings together entrepreneurs, leaders, changemakers, athletes, and unsung heroes to share real-life stories of success, failure, courage, leadership, and nation building — so that millions can learn, grow, and get inspired.
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