XtraTime Correspondent: Right when the Indian football fans have been wandering about the sudden decision of Ranjit Bajaj of selling Punjab FC and resigning from his role as a Director, XtraTime.in spoke to the man directly to know the entire story. Bajaj told XtraTime, "As you rightly captioned yesterday, 'An end of a chapter', please add that 'this is a new chapter of a book' as well". Bajaj explained, "Well, yes I have sold Punjab FC to Roundglass Sports. They are doing extremely well. They are no new to the game. They have successfully run their academy here for the last couple of years before purchasing 50% stake of our club in the previous season. But despite the change of the entity, people called it Minerva only and very few said Punjab FC. They have taken over the entire club this time and I believe this had been the best time for this to happen." Though he added, "But I haven't sold Minerva! The academy will be there with me and we have already registered it as a new club. In a way you can say, now there will be a new contest and rivalry in Punjab football." Bajaj reminded, "TFA produced 53 players to the nation in a span of 15 years and we produced 73 in a span of four and a half seasons. But it was TFA who first started the process. India needs 100 Minerva Academies to play a FIFA World Cup." About selling his 'baby' property, Bajaj said, "Look, no one can take away a few things in my life. Do you know what is 'legacy'? Jeakson Singh will be there on the pages of history books to be first Indian to score in a FIFA competition, that's legacy. Legacy means Indian football will remember Ranjit Bajaj for providing majority of the players to play in the FIFA U17 World Cup. Legacy means producing 73 national team players in less than four and a half years. Legacy means 8 titles in four and a half years across all age groups. I am happy to contribute for my nation with this legacy." He seemed disgusted with parent body of Indian football, as he mentioned, "One of the main reasons behind selling Punjab FC was of course The AIFF. There will be no promotion and relegation in the next three seasons to play in the ISL. Even if we win the league I believe the AFC slot will be given to an ISL club like the way it happened this time. Hence I felt it would be sensible if I invest the money on youth." He promised, "Now I will invest in my kids at Minerva Academy. I will produce more players for my country. I believe we can play FIFA World Cup in 2050 and the players who will represent India in there are yet to born. I will start the process from here on. So, in a way it's not the end of the chapter, but a beginning of a new book."

Interview | End of a chapter, but beginning of a new book: Ranjit Bajaj