What is the latest on the participation of Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Sandhu in the Asian Games? Will the three players be part of the team? Will they be in Hangzhou? Why weren’t their names sent in the original list of 22 players? Was it done thereafter, and what’s the exact status now?
Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF President, clears the air in this conversation with Boria Majumdar.
Boria: Mr. Chaubey, could you please tell us what is the latest on the participation of the three senior players – Sunil, Sandesh, and Gurpreet – in the Asian Games?
Chaubey: They will participate, and I have said this to you in the past as well. They will indeed go to China with the team. They are our best, and there is no question they will go.
Boria: Their names weren’t sent as part of the original 22. Times of India reported this. And you are quoted in the story.
Chaubey: Yes, and it’s true that their names were not part of the list sent on July 15. The coach and technical team had sent the list, and these three names were not included. But when it came to my notice, I immediately stepped in and made sure that we sent their names in. When it is a tournament in which the whole country’s passion involved, how can it be that we send a team which isn’t our best team? We will absolutely send our best team to the Asian Games, and the three of them will go.
Boria: How confident are you that their accreditations will get done, and that they will accompany the team?
Chaubey: I can confirm to you that their accreditations are already done, and we have confirmation. So they are now part of the team’s long list. There is one small formality left, and that is OCA approval. I am sure it will get done, and they will for sure travel with the team to China. It is India that will participate in the Asian Games, and it is a major tournament for us. The best of India has to go. These three players are the best, and they will surely lead the youngsters in China so that we can put our best foot forward in Hangzhou. I hope this clarifies all your doubts, and we can assure the football fans about this. They can be sure of seeing them in China.