What’s the story?
Four Chennai City players will have the chance of a lifetime when they travel to Finland to train with Finnish club JS Hercules. This is part of an arrangement between the two clubs. The four players are Michael Soosairaj, NandhaKumar, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul and A Beautin, sources close to Chennai City revealed.
The context
If the players impress, they may get an opportunity to lace up in the Finnish third division that Hercules play in. Soosairaj and Nandhakumar particularly have shown a lot of promise in the I-League this season, winning Man Of The Match in two of Chennai City’s four wins. They both scored two goals each in the league this season. Hercules officials, including their technical director, will arrive in Chennai on Monday, following which an official announcement is expected.
The heart of the matter
The Finnish Club put out a statement on their website regarding their visit.
“JS Hercules chairman Mikko Perälä and member of the board Panu Halonen travel on Monday to India to visit Chennai City FC management and to discuss how to activate the partnership between the clubs,” it says.
“There are way too many examples of partnerships in the football world that exist only on paper. The one between JS Hercules and Chennai City FC intends to be a delightful exception in this regard.”
Rohit Ramesh, co-owner of Chennai City FC said, “I have been approached by many European clubs before regarding a partnership, but Hercules is the first club that has had something unique to offer. Their innovative and social entrepreneurial approach to sport impressed me. We share a mutual understanding of how football and sport in general can be used for the benefit of the community. This partnership is also a wonderful opportunity for upcoming players from Tamil Nadu who are a part of Chennai City Football Club – not only to grow as players but also as fully-rounded individuals with educational and cultural exposure. By joining our forces like this, both clubs make our communities expand over the borders.”
What’s next?
This Finnish sojourn will mark the latest in a growing list of Indian footballers having the chance to work outside the country.
While Gurpreet Singh Sandhu remains the only India footballer to play in a European top flight league (Stabaek in the Norwegian Tippeligaen), others like Romeo Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan have gone abroad with mixed fortunes.
Author’s take
This news is another pat on the back in a series of encouraging news for Indian football. It would no doubt be a great exposure for these talented youngsters who would avail quality infrastructure nad facilities. Let’s hope they do their best and make a mark for others to follow.
