“Over the last two decades, I have had the opportunity to see the ups and downs as a footballer and face everything that Indian football had to offer. The only constant has been the belief that one day we, as a nation, will realize the full potential of Indian football and I cannot wait for that to happen,” Chhetri said while speaking at the event.
Chhetri's comments come at a time when the country's football landscape seems like a ship without a rudder. The team is currently without a head coach after the debacle between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Igor Stimac unfolded in June. The new coach will be announced at the end of July.
“I am optimistic, especially when it comes to Indian football. While I can't change anything on the field because I am no longer a national team player, I can happily promise that I am committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that we, as a nation, can reach the promised land. It is up to all of us to support Indian footballers, the ecosystem and chase the dream we all share,” added India's all-time leading scorer.
Sunil Chhetri's ability to create optimism in the minds of many people matches his remarkable prowess on the field as the man with the most appearances in the Blue Tigers jersey spoke about the prestigious Durand Cup.
"It is an honor to be here among all of you as an ambassador for my sport, but also, more importantly, as a citizen of this glorious country that was fortunate enough to play for my nation for 19 years," he added.
Chhetri played for City Club of Delhi in the 2001-02 Durand Cup season, where he managed to impress the scouts, which boosted his career and became one of the most important in the history of this sport in India.
“It was in this Durand Cup, a long time ago, when they discovered me. When I was a kid in Delhi, I was discovered here and I got my big break and that's how my journey began. “This is not just any tournament, it is a very important tournament with a lot of history, tradition and culture and I couldn't be happier to be here on this stage talking about the Durand Cup,” concluded the former Indian speaker.
Chhetri's comments come at a time when the country's football landscape seems like a ship without a rudder. The team is currently without a head coach after the debacle between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Igor Stimac unfolded in June. The new coach will be announced at the end of July.
“I am optimistic, especially when it comes to Indian football. While I can't change anything on the field because I am no longer a national team player, I can happily promise that I am committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that we, as a nation, can reach the promised land. It is up to all of us to support Indian footballers, the ecosystem and chase the dream we all share,” added India's all-time leading scorer.
Sunil Chhetri's ability to create optimism in the minds of many people matches his remarkable prowess on the field as the man with the most appearances in the Blue Tigers jersey spoke about the prestigious Durand Cup.
"It is an honor to be here among all of you as an ambassador for my sport, but also, more importantly, as a citizen of this glorious country that was fortunate enough to play for my nation for 19 years," he added.
Chhetri played for City Club of Delhi in the 2001-02 Durand Cup season, where he managed to impress the scouts, which boosted his career and became one of the most important in the history of this sport in India.
“It was in this Durand Cup, a long time ago, when they discovered me. When I was a kid in Delhi, I was discovered here and I got my big break and that's how my journey began. “This is not just any tournament, it is a very important tournament with a lot of history, tradition and culture and I couldn't be happier to be here on this stage talking about the Durand Cup,” concluded the former Indian speaker.
