New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) India football captain Sunil Chhetri Wednesday said he had to return to Sporting Lisbon to complete his contract obligations but did not rule out a loan move, saying that he is yet to decide where he will be going.
Chhetri, who played the last seven games for Churchill Brothers in the I-League, will return to Portugal where he has a contract with Sporting Lisbon ‘B’. Chhetri played just five matches in Portugal, failing to start even a single game before moving to Churchill on a loan.
“I haven’t decided it yet and haven’t signed for any club. In any case, I have to go back to Sporting Lisbon and discuss the possibilities of a loan to some other club,” said Chhetri.
Chhetri, in a withdrawal striker role, played a key part in the fag end of the league as Churchill lifted the I-League trophy.
The Indian striker, though, said he will be looking forward to taking a break and spending time with his family.
“It’s the only time when we get to stay with our families. If you look at me, I’ve been travelling all over in the year without even getting time to spend with my family. Isn’t it the best feeling to see the faces of your dear ones around when you wake up in the morning,” he said.
“At the same time, I’m growing up and cannot shy away from my responsibilities. I felt blessed when I could stay by my mom’s side when she got operated recently. That’s the responsibility of a son. During peak-season, even if my heart wanted, maybe I may not have been able to be there. It’s the same for all footballers,” Chhetri added.
Chhetri said he will be having a coaching camp at the Ambedkar Stadium here June 16-June 23.
“There’s a plan to have a Coaching Camp for kids at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. It kicks-off on June 16 and will go on for eight days.
Some time back, some of my friends came up to me with the idea of opening a football academy in New Delhi. I didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm but was a bit sceptical at the outset. Simply because sustaining an academy is a huge thing. You just cannot have an academy for the sake of having it. Instead, I told them to have an eight-day coaching camp and revisit the idea of the academy later on,” said Chhetri.
“I will personally be talking and interacting with the kids and tell them about the mistakes which I made at their age. I will also have a separate session with the parents. We will take care of the kitting, Nike will be supplying the balls and the kids will be given clean drinking water and proper nutrition in between and after the sessions. The first two days will be the trials while practice sessions have been slated for next four days. The practice matches would take place during the last two days,” he added.
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