GANGTOK, September 8: Having represented India in the U-16 international matches besides playing for Sikkim in a host of tournaments, homegrown talent Ashish Chettri has now turned professional following the illustrious steps of his senior Sikkim Sports Academy products, Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan.
The nineteen year old talent is presently committed to Kolkata club, Eastern Railways Sporting Club for one year after graduating from Sikkim Sports Academy with full honours.
Fittingly, Ashish Chettri played his first match for his club at Paljor Stadium yesterday, his second home for many years since being inducted into the Sikkim Sports Academy under the ‘Search for more Bhaichungs’ campaign of the State government.
Playing in a familiar ground in a familiar position as a right back, Chettri proved his worth in the Kolkata team as a tenacious defender. He ably support his team stopper Fashog Bon Lekan Ablodun and effectively shut down the strong SSB forwards as the Kolkata team won the match by a solitary goal.
Chettri was also used a dead ball specialist in the game whenever opportunities were presented in the right flank of the pitch.
“I had always wanted to play in the Governor’s Gold Cup representing a club from outside the State. I am feeling proud to have achieved this dream and hope to do well in this tournament”, said Chettri. He added that the target of Eastern Railways is to reach the finals of the football showpiece event of the Northeast.
Chettri is also fortunate to have his national team coach Sanjay Sen as the coach of the Eastern Railways Sporting Club.
It was Sen who had roped in Chettri to Eastern Railways team turning the Sikkimese player into a professional player at the timely age of 19 years.
Along with his Academy batchmate Pema Dhendup Sherpa, Chettri is with the Kolkata club for the past two months. He missed out playing in the IFA Shield qualifiers as he was down with fever and could debut for Eastern Railways only yesterday in the pre-qualifiers of Gold Cup.
Turning professional has kicked in some maturity into the promising player.
“Before this, I used to play without a care but turning professional has brought some responsibility into me. I have to be careful not to sustain unnecessary injuries as I am expected to recover fast and play for the club”, said Chettri. I used to attach no importance to things earlier which seem now very important to me, he added.
It also better for Chettri that he has started out his professional career from Eastern Railways instead of hoping to land into big clubs where pressure to perform had ended many promising talents.
The Eastern Railways will meet familiar foe, Calcutta Port Trust in the next round of the Gold Cup on September 10.
Senior players in my team say that the Calcutta Port Trust is a good side, said Chettri.
Back at Kolkata, Chettri and his team mate Sherpa are learning from their seniors, Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan.
We also met national team players thanks to Bhaichung Bhutia and senior players Rennedy Singh and Sunil Chettri have offered to help us if any need arises, said the latest professional football player of Sikkim.
For the record, Chettri is the lone Sikkimese player to play regularly for the U-16 national football team and has been selected for final World Cup qualifying rounds in the national team
