Vignesh hoping to make a mark in hometown

Football runs in the veins of Vignesh Dakshinamurthy.

His father Dakshinamurthy played for Aeronautics Development Establishment (ADE) FC in Bengaluru for nearly 15 years. Vignesh's uncle Shanmugam Venkatesh had represented India with distinction and his younger brother Dhanush is also pursuing the sport.

For a footballing family, Sunday could be a special day, with Vignesh likely to make an appearance in the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. But it won't be for Bengaluru FC, a club he supported as a teenager. He is in the ranks of Mumbai City FC, hoping to make a mark in his hometown.

"I used to watch the I-League games between Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC from the stands. But on Sunday we'll be playing against BFC. This shows I am on the right track," the midfielder said.

Vignesh was part of the Ozone Academy set-up in Bengaluru for three years before he broke into the first team and was a key member of the squad that won the BDFA Super Division league title in February earlier this year. He had represented the team in the I-league Second Division as well. In September, the 20-year-old also earned a call from Indian coach Stephen Constantine, who included him in the India under-23 squad for the SAFF Suzuki Cup in Dhaka.

During this camp, he was approached by the Indian Super League (ISL) side, who saw his potential and signed him. Vignesh has quickly adjusted to life in Mumbai and away from distractions, his sole focus now is to grow as a footballer.

"It's very good in Mumbai. I can focus fully on football. In Bengaluru, I had friends and family but if you want really something, you have to make sacrifices," he said, well aware of the support he has received from his family.

"I feel very lucky to be born in a family like this," said Vignesh. "In other families, priorities are education and job. If I was in a family like that, they would've told me to study and get a job. But my passion is football and my family knows the importance of the game. Football has given everything to our family. We have a good life," he explained.

The former Ozone player has struggled for game time this season, having taken the field just once, that too as a substitute. The youngster though is ready to wait for his turn. "It's a process and it's happening day by day. Every day, I give my 100 percent," Vignesh said.

"I am getting to be with the team in almost every match. I am learning a lot from the senior players playing with me and against me," he added.

Mumbai coach Jorge Costa is impressed with Vignesh. "Vignesh is a young player and I am very happy with him. I think he is getting better every day," Costa said.

DH News Service