Gopal Roy, Kolkata: India’s new hero of the U17 national football team, Abhijit Sarkar’s journey to become a footballer has been such a story which would bring tears in anyone’s eyes. A real and not reel script which can throw challenges to any motivational film on the silver screen. But when dedication meets dream and tenacity, the battle against poverty, food, education & infrastructure becomes a cake-walk.
After Indian U-17 team’s exposure tour Abhijit returned to his hometown today. Three more players from West Bengal, Tamal Naskar of Sonarpur, Rahim Ali of Ichapur and Jintendra Singh of Ballygunge have returned to the city with him. After returning from Spain he gave an Exclusive interview to www.xtratime.in. Here goes the conversation:
XT: When did you return to Kolkata?
Abhijit: I have landed in Kolkata today at 11 am. We returned to Delhi at 3 o’clock at night from Spain via Abu Dhabi.
XT: For how long do you intend to stay in Kolkata?
Abhijit: The team management have said that we can stay at our till 11th of July. After that Manager Velu Dhayalmani will contact us for our next assignment.
XT: Will you play any tournament in next few months time?
Abhijit: We might have a tour to Mexico in July or August to play a tournament.
XT: When did you leave India to play these friendly matches?
Abhijit: We left India in the month of April and returned today after three long monts. We played in Portugal, France, Hungary, Italy and Spain.
XT: How many matches did you play for India in this tour?
Abhijit: I have played all the matches for my side. Among them 5 were friendlies and 3 were international matches. I have scored four goals in these matches.
XT: Tell us how you are spending your time with your parents after returning from Spain?
Abhijit: I am feeling really very tired after returning today. My mother has cooked rice, dal and hilsha as these are my favourite dishes.
XT: When will you start your training again for the World Cup?
Abhijit: I will take complete rest today. From tomorrow morning I will start training at Banichakra Club ground under coach Ashok Mondal. And when he could give time I will practice alone.
XT: Who went to the airport to receive you?
Abhijit: My family and coach Ashok Mondal came to the airport to receive me.
XT: Did you meet any star players during India’s exposure tour?
Abhijit: No. I hadn’t met anybody during the tour as we had a very tight schedule. But we went to watch the museum of Real Madrid. I am a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and I saw his jersey, Ballon d’or and the dressing room of Real Madrid during the tour.
XT: Did India coach Luis Norton share anything with you during the tour?
Abhijit: Except football he didn’t discuss anything with anybody, but I know what he always want from us. His moto is you have work hard to make it to the playing XI.
XT: Did you keep a record what was happening here when you were Busy playing overseas
Abhijit: Yes. I knew that legendary footballer Carlos Puyol came to Delhi to launch the first ticket of U17 World Cup. But I didn’t know that FIFA had chosen to pay tribute to the year in which Indian football made history in 1911.
XT: Do you have any idea that how the venues are preparing themselves for the mega event?
Abhijit: I have just seen the pictures of Salt Lake stadium. But when I will play there I can understand how they have prepared the ground.
XT: Are you upset that India will not play any group league match in Kolkata?
Abhijit: Everybody wants to play at their home ground. But Delhi too is our home and we will get massive support from there too.
XT: Tell us about your feeling about playing the World Cup at home.
Abhijit: We have many legendary footballers in our country. Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri are the big names of Indian football and we are lucky enough that among the 125 crore people we are getting the chance to represent our country.
Abhijit spending some quality time with his family members today.
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