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Time to kick the ball high!
SOMENDRA NATH Chaudhury appears quite upset over the present condition of football in the country as well as in the State Capital. He wants everyone should come together to help upgrade the soccer at least in the city.
SOMENDRA NATH Chaudhury appears quite upset over the present condition of football in the country as well as in the State Capital.
He wants everyone should come together to help upgrade the soccer at least in the city.
“Have a muscle to kick the football high!” says he reminiscing good old soccer days.
A bank manager by profession, Chaudhury keeps going and coming to Kanpur daily to do his job. But, the he doesn’t forget to watch even the practice matches of the upcoming FIFA World Cup at Germany till late night.
“Football is king of all sports. I love watching top teams of the world in action—even in practice matches,” says Chaudhury, who resides in Lalbagh.
He puts his money on host Germany as they are better placed to use home advantage in the World Cup, which starts on June 9.
“There are many good teams in the fray this year also. But in my opinion, Germany and Brazil may face each other in the finals, which won’t be a high-scoring goal,” says Chaudhury, 58.
Hailing from an illustrious sporting family of the State Capital, Chaudhury himself was a well-known face among the local footballers in the 70s. “I did play hockey also. But, the game of soccer really fascinated me a lot and I changed my track,” says Chaudhury, son of famous hockey player AN Chaudhury, who used to be known as a compatriot to hockey wizard Major Dhayan Chand in late 30s.
“We used to have a great culture of football in the city in our days. But somehow it died down gradually. Undoubtedly, gentlemen’s game cricket has overshadowed other games in the country, including football, but I still find soccer as the most exciting event for any age category.”
“We have no dearth of football grounds in the city. But, neither the school/college managements nor the younger generation is taking any interest in promotion of this game,” a dejected Chaudhury says.
