Calcutta: Sunil Chetri is unlikely to feature in next month’s SAFF Cup in Bangladesh.
“It’s not a declaration, but I think I have had enough of SAFF,” the India football captain said on the sidelines of Officer’s Choice Blue-Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club’s annual awards function in the city on Thursday.
Chetri, who was chosen the Best Sportsperson of the country, said: “I was fortunate to play SAFF three or four times. I am not declaring anything right now, but I had a chat with the coach and he said he wants to bring in a lot of junior players, which I think is a very good thing.”
Defending champions India would start as favourites in the tournament, which will be held from September 4 to 15.
“It’s not trying to demean the other teams in the SAFF region. It’s a great opportunity for the youngsters to come to the table and show the coach that they also have the potential. I think even with the U-23 team, we are very strong in the SAFF region. I hope they do well and we retain the championship,” Chetri said.
Chetri also expressed anguish at the national football teams’ non-participation at the forthcoming Asian Games.
“I hope we can rectify things. Suddenly, you can’t say that India are not going to win a medal. You got to give them a chance to do that,” Chetri said. “This is a government thing, not in my hands. If the boys had got a chance, it would have been lovely. Any tournament the under-age teams get to play is great,” he said.
“In future, I just hope all authorities can help in that and the boys get enough opportunity, especially the U-16 team, as they are really good.”
The India U-16 side recently stunned reigning Asian champions Iraq with a last-gasp goal at the West Asian Football Federation tournament, while India’s U-20 football team shocked Argentina 2-1 despite being reduced to 10-men at the COTIF Cup.
“I am very hopeful about the U-16 team. Against Iraq, we had more ball possession. We had more attacks.
The U-20 team, I saw a few clippings and we had to defend a lot against Argentina. And that was one game. I haven’t seen them much, but it was a great result,” Chetri said.
“Bibiano Fernandes (U-16 football coach) is doing a great job and the U-16 team has the potential to do great things in the future. We have to preserve them. They are a treat to watch.”
On India being ranked 96th in the Fifa list, Chetri said: “I don't take rankings very seriously. There is a lot of maths there. What I am bothered about is the team doing well in every game.”
At the function, Aroon Ghosh, Akhtar Ali and Arun Lal were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards. Lal, however, wasn’t present as he is overseas.
