Kejri push for sports inspires city footballer

Amid the Delhi government’s big push for sports activities in the city involving school and colleges students, a footballer from Dwarka in west Delhi is trying to make it to a club in the United Kingdom.

“I hope to make the city and the Chief Minister proud,” said Kunal Sachdeva, 20, captain of Ansal University's college team.

“I gave trials for Ashford Football Club, UK, 2016-17 and hope to get a chance to play in Europe,” said Kunal, pursuing BCom.

The budding soccer player has trained under a number of renowned coaches including Sanjay Kataria who is among the selectors for the Delhi National Team Under-19.

Kunal has also represented teams like Delhi Tigers, Hindustant Foodbal Club, Shastri FC and Delhi United Football.

Kejriwal government has announced that it is keen on getting students bigger exposure to global trends.

The government, earlier this year, held football workshop with a British club and training for Asian School Rugby tournamentfor city's students, said officials.

 The renewed attention of the Education Department on sports activities is in keeping with Kejriwal’s idea of allocating special funds of about

Rs 48 crore in the Budget for supporting sports persons and upgrading sports infrastructure.

A few months ago, coaches from West Bromwich Albion Football Club in Britain organised a workshop at Chhatrasal Stadium for students and coaches and physical education teachers of football from Delhi government schools, said an official.

“About 250 soccer players from schools and 40 coaches interacted with the British club members,” said an official.An invitation was also sent to government aided schools and private recognised schools for the workshop that included field sessions and indoor technical session, he said.Later, 6-8 Delhi school boys headed for a selection camp in Chennai ahead of the Second Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship 2016 held in Hong Kong.