After his decision to move to JSW Sports last month, Sunil Chettri is happy and now looking forward to the new season.
His responsibility will not only rests on playing for the Bangalore-based club in the I-league but also lies in captaining Indian national team, which is going to start afresh with the friendly match against Tajikistan on 14th of this month and then the challenging SAFF Cup to be held in Kathmandu in a couple of months. At the moment, he is optimistic of playing both roles confidently.
“It is quite a new club and completely new staff. We have a very good coach in English Ashley Westwood and he is a great motivator. We don’t have any expectations. It was a difficult decision to move on from a champion club (Churchill Brothers) and I love challenges. I liked JSW’s future plans and ideas. So, I joined them,” Chettri said here on Thursday when he and mid-fielder lenny Rodrigues launched the new Nike Home and Away Kit.
For the challenge that lies ahead of the Indian team, Chettri said that he was optimistic of having good results. “We will have our camp on 8th before leaving on 9th for Tajikistan. Our match is on 14th. Then, we will head back to Bangalore for a one-month camp before the SAFF Cup. The last AFC challenge qualifiers didn’t go well for us but we are optimistic. We will do our best. There will be a bit pressure because we are expected to win in SAFF Cup. We always go to SAFF cup to win it. A win in the first game will set the mood. I am all geared up for it,” Chettri explained.
Regarding the controversial IMG-Reliance-backed IPl-style league, Chettri said that players are skeptical and unsure about the whole process and urged that every stakeholders should sit together and come out with a joint action. The IMG-R-promoted league has been planned from a long time and yet to see the light of the day with the I-league clubs refusing to release players for it. The I-league clubs owners feel that another league will damage their advancement. “A lot of players have spoken to me regarding this as they are skeptical about the developments. They are not sure what is going to happen. I have nothing against anybody and I am sure there will be a league and many players have signed already. But, I want it to be resolved as soon as possible.
“I personally feel that for the development of Indian football, everyone should move in one direction. Everyone should work together,” Chettri pointed out Nike decided to continue its association with Indian football and Chettri and his boys will be playing a friendly against Tajikistan in their new apparel, before heading to Kathmandu for SAFF Cup. The new kit will be 23 per cent lighter, 210 per cent more stretchable, 28 per cent stronger and 100 per cent recycled, according to the company. Regarding the new kit, the skipper said,”Kathmandu will be humid and sweaty during September when we go there for the SAFF Cup and I think the new Nike kit will come handy there.”