Bengaluru: Experienced striker Sunil Chhetri Advised fellow players on Sunday to continue to give their best on the pitch and not worry about FIFA’s threat of suspension Indian football,
Earlier this month, world football governing body FIFA threatened to suspend the AIFF and take away its hosting rights. Women’s Under-17 World Cup The warning comes just days after a Supreme Court directive to hold national federation elections in October, due to a third-party “influence”.
However, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has started the electoral process. The elections are to be held on August 28.
“I have spoken to the boys and my advice is not to give it too much attention as it is beyond your control,” Chhetri said during a virtual media interaction organized by his club Bengaluru FC in the making of the new season. ,
“The people involved are doing their best to ensure that we come up with the best possible results.
He said, ‘Everyone is working hard for this. As far as the players are concerned, we are going to make sure that we do our job properly.
“We have to make sure that you improve yourself as a player. Whenever you get an opportunity to represent your club or your country, do your best.
“All other verticals of AIFF are trying to do as fine a thing as possible to ensure that they come out with flying colours,” he added.
India is to host the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup from October 11-30 and the Union Cabinet last month approved signing of guarantees for hosting women’s age group showpieces in Bhubaneswar, Goa and Mumbai.
The Durand Cup season begins on August 16 in Kolkata and Bengaluru FC will take on Jamshedpur FC on the second day of the tournament.
Having won every major national title since the team came into existence in 2013, the Blues will be desperate to add the missing Durand Cup to their trophy cabinet.
For Chhetri too, it is “very, very special” as he hasn’t even won Asia’s oldest football competition, the 131st edition of which will be held this year.
“It’s very, very special. It’s one of the oldest tournaments that’s huge in itself. But more so for me. As a club we haven’t won and personally I haven’t won the Durand Cup Is.
“I have been lucky enough to win a lot of tournaments, almost all tournaments that can be held in India, and the Durand Cup is missing.
“So, that’s an added motivation for me. We will try our best as a club. Last year our young boys accounted for themselves well, we want to make it better.”
For the first time, all 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will participate in the tournament.
Trophy-less for the past few seasons, BFC have made some interesting signings in former ATK Mohun Bagan shooters Roy Krishna, Xavi Hernandez, Probir Das and Sandesh Jhingan.
Chhetri’s pairing with Fijian star Roy Krishna may have become the talk of the town, but the India captain tried to play it down.
“I think the pair is over-hyped. It’s not Jodi, it’s just Roy. I’m happy with Roy. We’re just going to make sure this guy is happy because we know what he can give.” He has been excellent in training.
“He’s bothered us a lot over the years, so it’s a nice feeling to have him wear our jersey. We’re going to sit back to keep him happy and we all know what he can do on the pitch.
“He is doing his best to be a part of the team, making sure he talks to all the youngsters. He is very playful.
“With so much experience, he doesn’t shy away from expressing his opinion. He is making sure that everyone around him is happy,” said Chhetri.
Chhetri will be reuniting with India teammate Sandesh Jhingan at the club as centre-back, five years after winning the Federation Cup with the team.
Terming it a “welcome addition”, Chhetri said: “I wish them the best of luck. I want to assure them that we are going to give them all the support they need and also know that they are there for us.” Going to give everything that they have. Doing well.”
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