Kozhikode, Dec 28 (UNI) The presence of a few foreign players in our competitions will help Indian football teams as players can emulate their strategies for the improvement of the game in the country, Indian footballer of the year and JCT player Sunil Chhetri said today.

Talking to newspersons here on the eve of JCT's encounter against Viva Kerala here, he said players can also improve a lot by observing their football skills.

He said, however, filling a particular team with so many outside players might not be helpful as it would change the complexion of the side.

Reacting to his selection as footballer of the year, he said ''it was really motivating'' but put more responsibility on him as a player.

He said he also received allround encouragement after the selection.

Former Indian and JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh, who was also present, said football was still a popular game in the country, but underlined the need for proper support for development of the game.

The game would still attract large crowds if the teams played quality qame, he said.

Stating that cricket got much publicity in the region, he said players were able to take mileage out of the allround publicity it received.

He opined that soccer could be improved if it received proper support, including from the media.

UNI