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Interview:Sunil Chettri
Face 2 Face
Sunil Chettri - K.F.East Bengal
Interview taken by : Abhishek Bhattacharyya & Dipayan Bhattacharjee.24.09.2008 Reporting for www.kolkatafootball.com.
Sunil Chettri is being tipped as the next Baichung Bhutia of Indian Football.The East Bengal striker was an important part of the Indian team that won the AFC Challengers Cup.We caught up with the pin-up boy of Indian football as he gears up for the 2nd edition of I-League.
Q)It is a dream for any footballer to score a hattrick in the final of a major tournament.You did the same thing for the national team in the AFC Challengers Cup which earned them a ticket to Asia Cup 2010.How does it feel.
Ans:It’s a great feeling.To be a part of the national team is an honour for any player.It’s not about scoring an hattrick its actually about helping the team to achieve the goal and we had a great teamwork under the leadership of Baichung Bhutia.In the pre-match team meeting we had our strategy worked out properly and that helped us to achieve our goal.
Q)Yes ofcourse India has performed superbly in International tournaments in recent past.So being the torchbearer of the next generation how do you see the future of Indian football shaping up.
Ans:I think we have a great future ahead and there is no looking back.With all the new programmes and with the pool of talent we have we will surely reach great heights in the coming years.We have a great Manager in Bob Houghton.He is a wonderful man to work with he really motivates his players a lot and that’s why I am very confident about the future of our football.
Q)Your thought process behind coming back to play in Kolkata & East Bengal.
Ans:Well…I was very happy with JCT.The facilities were superb there and I had a great time playing for the club.But I wanted to play in Kolkata again and East Bengal came with a good offer and that’s why i am back again.
Q)JCT is facing a problem as the AIFF’s new rules says that each and every club playing in I-League has to be a commercial entity and until and unless JCT Mills changes their club name to JCT Sports Private Limited the players will not be able to receive their salary.That’s why many important players are leaving the club just like Marcos Perreira has signed for Mohun Bagan.JCT Coach Sukhwinder Singh has commented that if “worst comes to worst we will play the league with our local players”.So do you think this incident will hamper their I-League campaign.
Ans:I don’t think so.JCT have some very talented players.There are some good youngsters and I am sure there will be no problem for them.Sukhi sir is a great coach and I am sure they will do well.
Q)Different managers comes in with different strategies.In CFL you have worked with Monaranjan Bhattacharjee and now just 2 weeks before the commencement of the I-League East Bengal has a new coach.How is the team getting along with him.What do you have to say.
Ans:I had a great pleasure of working with Monaranjan Bhattacharjee but I have worked more with Stanley Sir and I know he is a honest bloke and great to work with.We had a pre-conditioning camp for 5 days and the team is getting along with him nicely.All I can say that the fans needs to be patient with him and give him and the team little bit of time to settle down.We have a good team this season and I am sure that we will perform well.
Q)With the inclusion of Yusif Yakubu the team becomes much more stronger in the forward zone.You have partnered Ashim Biswas in CFL.With Yakubu coming in how do you think the coach is going to use the strikers in the team.
Ans:I think we have 5 strikers including me,Ashim,Edmilson,Yakubu and Praveen Kumar.All I can say all those four strikers are extremely talented and I think its all upto the coach how he wants to use them,I have no idea.It is not confirmed that Chettri will play in the first team or not it’s all upto the boss who runs it.I will play according to my coach’s will.
Q)Only few footballers have their agents.It’s been in the news that you have signed a contract with a well known Sports agency.Tell us a bit about that.
Ans:Well…I think you are the first one from whom I am hearing this news..(laughs).Yes I have signed a contract with Gameplan Sports Private Limited. The agency use to manage cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni previously and I am happy to have inked a deal with them.
Q)You are being tipped as the next big thing in Indian football.What are your future plans.Are you planning to play abroad or in Europe in coming years.
Ans:Well yes I have plans like that but right now things are in pretty low level.So if something materializes I will let you know.
Q)It was great talking to you and best of luck for I-League and other big tournaments.
Ans:Thanks!!!!
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