“The most important thing is to keep progressing & keep improving….”
Sunil Chettri a.k.a Asian Icon, the captain of Indian Football team, is considered to be the greatest football player in Indian History. The 34 yrs. Indian is the highest international goal scorer of Indian National Team
Born on 3 August 1984 in Secunderabad, inherited his football passion and skill from his parents, who themselves has played for the Indian Army’s team & Nepal women’s national team. After class 12, Sunil bade farewell to his study and grabbed the opportunity to represent India with a city club in Delhi at the Asian School Championships in Malaysia in October 2001. And this marks the rise of a legend. After this the Asian Icon started his professional football career with Mohan Bagan of the National Football League.
In 2004, Chhetri played his first game for the Indian U-20 team Pakistan where he scored his debut goal in SAF games. Later in 2008, overseas club like Leeds United & Estoril Praia showed interest in the budding star. In 2008, Sunil entered I-league representing East Bengal FC under the guidance of the famous Bengal footballer Subroto Bhattacharya.
The early career was not as easy for Sunil as it seems to the people. He faced immense challenges during his Bengal stage. Losing a football match in Bengal was not a pleasant experience for any upcoming footballer. The wrath of the fans, criticism, fast-paced life was appearing to be a burden to the 18yrs old Chettri. He even wanted to return back. But his supportive family showed him the path and because of that today we have with us, Sunil Chettri.
India bagged the Nehru Cup for the first time by beating Syria in 2007. Later the same year, India started the 2010 world cup qualification campaign, but got eliminated by Lebanon in a 6-3 agg. Though India was defeated, Sunil’s contribution was remarkable, scoring all the 3 goals for the nation. After the crushing defeat, Sunil devoted himself more to his hard work and determination to do something for his country. In the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, Chettri scored a hat trick against Tajikistan and finally brought the tournament cup to India.
His love and devotion for his country was also portrayed in the 2009 Nehru Cup, where he played the full match with injury and also scored a victory over Kyrgyzstan. Adding more feathers to his hat, Sunil was declared the National Team captain for the 2012 AFC Challenge cup. He gradually earned the love and respect of the entire nation. Not only that, Sunil even earned fame on the global level as the first Indian footballer to score 50 international goals.
Chettri was an indomitable spirit, who was constantly contributing to Indian Football & making the nation filled with pride. Under Chettri, India won the International Cup by defeating Kenya. And in 2019, Sunil Chettri became the 2nd highest active goalscorer just after Cristiano Ronaldo. He even surpassed the Argentine legend Leo Messi by 2 goals.
Without putting a stop to his achievements spree, Sunil Chhetri scored twice in a 2–0 win over Bangladesh in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. A team who has never been in the front row of the Football world, today is on the way to qualify for the World Cup. And the credit goes to Sunil and the entire national team.
Sunil has been awarded AIFF Player of the Year six times, FPAI Indian Player of the Year twice, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri (India’s fourth highest civilian award). These are just a few honors & accolades of the remarkable Indian player. In Spite of having reached such a height at a young age, the player is one of the humblest persons in the sports world.
Sunil Chettri, just like Indian football, is very much under-rated. Today both of them need proper media coverage, recognition & respect. A sportsman gives years over years of hard work and discipline just to make the nation proud. In return they just expect some respect and recognition. If we fail to provide what they deserve, then we are also not deserving of their achievements.
Its high time sports lover should celebrate every victory earned by an Indian irrespective of the sports genre. Distinguished players like Sunil Chettri who is on the path to write history in Indian football deserves more support & love from us. They are fighting for us, hence we should also give every possible support & love to them.
By ANUBHAV DAS
