5 good things that happened in Indian football in 2016
We are almost at the end of another year, and we all love looking back at all the good things that have happened to us in that year. All of us will have ups and downs, but in the end, the good moments are what stay with us.
Like people, Indian football also has had sweet and bitter moments throughout all these years, but 2016 was a bit special. The football lovers in India saw their country make huge steps in the world of the beautiful game this year. They will be hoping that this is the beginning of good times and the coming years will be even better.
Here are five things that happened in Indian football this year.
#5 Talented youngsters picked up by foreign academies
Two talented Indian youngsters were signed by foreign clubs this year. 18-year-old Ishan Pandita and 19-year-old Ashique Kuruniyan are the two players who have made India proud by getting into the European football frame.
Ishan Pandita became the first Indian to sign a professional junior La Liga contract after joining Spanish club CD Leganes in October. Ishan will be playing for the team's U-19 side in the Division Honour de Juvenil, which is the top division for under-19 players. The youngster is confident of making at least one senior team appearance by the end of the another. It will be another big milestone for him and Indian football if that happens.
Another Indian starlet moved to a European club in the same month. It is Ashique Kuruniyan of Indian Super League side Pune City FC who made the big move by joining another La Liga side Villareal CF on loan. He will be playing for the club's third team and is keen on making a mark in Spain before returning to India.