Youngsters playing every week is really important: Sunil Chhetri
After a successful awards ceremony conducted by AIFF (All India Football Federation) at Trident, four Indian players addressed the media – Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sasmita Malik to conclude a memorable day.
Bengaluru FC and Indian Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri was asked about the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-league merger. He responded: “Talks are going and it doesn’t make sense for me to comment. If you ask me for my thoughts then I’ll repeat myself what I’ve been saying every time. More teams, one league. If there are 16, 17, 18, 20 teams and there is one league in the country then that will be the best.”
“And on that note, nobody can object, you, me or those in the Federation everyone wants that. How to get there? I’m sure all the think tanks are working on it. As many numbers of teams are there fighting in a unified league or proper league, it is good for Indian players. More Indian players getting chances are good, more youngsters playing every week in, week out is really important,” he said.
Sunil also gave his views on a unified league: “It is important that we have 20 Udantas, 20 Jejes, 20 Gurpreet Singh Sandhus coming up every year. We have 1.3 billion people and we have to achieve that, imagine the state of football in our country when there 20 Sandeshs, Jejes etc every year coming up. That’s what we want and it will only happen if the kids get to play.
It very important that we have a league structure where kids get to play and get the best training throughout because if you don’t get enough game time, you won’t improve especially when you are young. So I hope the ones working towards it will do the needful and I just hope that there is a league where there are more number of Indian players.”
On another note, Sunil Chhetri praised his teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua and admitted that he is currently the best player India have right now. Jeje also won the 2016 AIFF Player of the year award.
“Jeje is the best player in the country right now. He has been outstanding for the country and whenever he plays we find ourselves in a comfortable position. He is going to take us places.”
Meanwhile, Jeje himself spoke about his latest form and goals. He said: “My target right now is to win the match against Kyrgyz Republic and boost our effort to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup,”
“I contribute my performance to my hard work off the pitch and it is very important for me as well to keep scoring and help my team in whatever way possible,” he stated.
Recently, India achieved their best ranking in the last two decades when they were place 100th in the latest FIFA rankings. It is quite astonishing as India were stuck at 173 just a couple of years back.
“It does give us a lot of happiness when we see our team in the top 100. But we don’t take it very seriously. When we were at 170, I spoke loudly that we aren’t 170 because we did well at times. In the same way, when you do well in an important tournament, you gain a lot of points. It does give us a lot of happiness but the most important thing for us is to keep winning games, especially in big tournaments.”
Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who received the 2016 Award for Special Recognition added: “We can only take good points going into the match against Kyrgyz Republic. We don’t have to be cocky about winning seven games in a row, but aim to maintain our winning streak.”
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
AIFF Records Historic Rise in Women’s Footballers
~ President Kalyan Chaubey credits it to the introduction of ‘IWL-2’, – a second tier competition to professionalise women’s football ~ A ‘home-and-away’ format for top tier and availability of…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…