Hosting the U-17 World Cup will be a big lift for Indian football – Sunil Chhetri

Following Bhaichung Bhutia’s retirement, Sunil Chhetri has become India’s new talisman

It’s no secret that Indian football lacks stars but national team skipper Sunil Chhetri is an exception. The 29-year-old is idolised by many budding footballers including some current youngsters in the I-League and thus he is someone who is very well placed to talk about the major issues in Indian football.

In a candid chat with Sportskeeda on Sunday, Sunil admitted that the I-League not being a pan India competition is a major concern but pointed out that the successful arrival of his club Bengaluru FC gives some hope.

“The league needs to be spread for sure. It’s good to have Bangalore now and although I might sound biased, I must say that it is the best club I have played at in terms of facilities and the way it’s run. Everyone starting from the owners to the ballboys are hardworking. I feel watching an I-League game in Bangalore is such a great experience now and they are a club that has been formed only recently. It shows that with the right methods, Indian football can be sold to the masses,” Sunil told Sportskeeda.

Interestingly, Bengaluru FC is Sunil’s eight different Indian club and tenth overall. The star striker hasn’t always explained why he doesn’t stay in one club for long but in this conversation he spoke at length.

“You know sometimes people give me a lot of stick for changing clubs so frequently. But I really love taking new challenges. People might feel because of my reputation, I can walk into any team easily despite being new but trust me that is not the case. Last season I had to play in a deeper role at a well-settled Churchill Brothers side and that wasn’t easy.

“This time at Bengaluru FC, I have had to play on the left wing and had to work very hard on my fitness as here you will be found out if there is anything missing. There are regular physical tests but I am enjoying as I my work rate has improved and I am also learning to defend. People will say I haven’t scored enough goals this season but I never put pressure on myself for that because I know with patience and hard work that will come. I know I could have stayed in a club for a long time but I relish adapting to newer teams,” the Arjuna Awardee said.

Going back to the ways that Indian football could improve, the two-time AIFF Player of the Year talked about the impact the hosting of the FIFA under-17 World Cup could have on the sport in this country.

“It will be a big lift no doubt. I know FIFA really wants us to host it so hopefully we will get the chance. It will certainly inspire many youngsters to take up the sport and I wish I could have played in it too,” he said.

But Sunil was quick to point out that hosting the U-17 World Cup won’t be enough and India must build on it after that and players like him should also contribute in that cause.

“Can we host the U-17 World Cup? Of course. But it’s important not to stop there and keep improving from the grassroots level. You know our country is blessed with so much talent but because it’s such a huge country, often many players from various regions don’t get an opportunity to play. So it’s very important to identify talent from all corners of the country and yes we players can also contribute by holding camps, training sessions for kids and in any other way possible,” he opined.

Sunil along with a few friends organised a training camp for both boys and girls in New Delhi earlier this year. Called as ‘Letzplay’, they will now be having Letzplay football schools starting with a camp at St Xavier’s School in New Delhi from December 1.

“The best part of the previous camp was the willingness of the kids to learn. They would ask me various questions starting from the basics of the game to the things they must and must not eat. Of course the general query from the parents was whether their child could take up the sport professionally. But I kept telling them that the kids don’t necessarily have to go on and become a footballer. Instead, just by playing and being a part of football or any sport they will become better human beings,” said the Bengaluru FC forward, who is also a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar.

The former Kansas City and Sporting Lisbon B player still remains as passionate about the beautiful game as he was eight years ago when he made his international debut.

“I still have plenty to achieve but I never set long-term targets for myself and just want to enjoy my football,” he concluded.