CHANDIGARH:
I-League
champions Minerva Punjab FC roped in former JCT Phagwara coach
Sukhwinder Singh as the team's technical director for the upcoming season.
Sukhwinder, who has also been the coach of the national team, guided JCT Phagwara to the inaugural
National Football League
(NFL) title in 1996-97. His other notable achievements include the SAFF Cup win with the Indian team in 1998 and the 2009 SAFF Cup triumph with the India U-23 team.
The 69-year-old will jointly work with the current technical director Surinder Singh and coach Sachin Badadhe.
Minerva owner Ranjeet Bajaj was all praise for Sukhwinder. He stated that Sukhwinder was a shrewd tactician.
"Instead of bringing foreign coaches, we should actually get people like Sukhi sir involved with Indian football. That's how I look at things. Sukhi sir's work with Indian football is remarkable. He has been overlooked for a long time, but he still has so much to give to Indian football. We are happy that Sukhi sir has agreed to come onboard with us," added Bajaj.
Minerva's feat last season didn't go unnoticed from the keen eyes of Sukhwinder; he underlined that for him Punjab football and its success is paramount.
"I have agreed to sign with Minerva because they are a team from Punjab, and are finally filling up the void left by JCT. I believe Minerva's success was a much-needed boost for the rise of Punjab football," Sukhwinder told TOI.
"I am ready to share my experience with them, but right now I can't comment on the team and the coaching staff because I haven't met them yet. But this is an exciting time for the team as they will be playing in the AFC Cup; and I am eagerly looking forward to join the team," he added.
Asked why he agreed to join Minerva, Sukhwinder replied, "Punjab has a lot of footballing talent and Minerva is providing them a platform. If I can contribute to Minerva's success, then more and more kids from the region will take up the sport."
The JCT team that Sukhwinder managed was also known as the Indian Galacticos because the side was full of star players. The team included the likes of IM Vijayan, Carlton Chapman,
Jo Paul Ancheri
and Bhaichung Bhutia.
The team also had tremendously talented Punjab players in it. Goalkeeper Virender Singh, strikers Hardip Gill and Surjit Singh, midfielders Hardip Sangha, Hardip Saini, Sukhjinder Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, defenders
Prabhjot Singh
, Daljit Singh, Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh former the backbone of the JCT side.
"That side was full of superstars. To have that kind of talent in one team under one roof is unthinkable nowadays. I didn't need to coach those stars about the nitty-gritties of the game; rather it was all about man management. Things might be different this time around," Sukhwinder said with a smile.
Minerva likely to play AFC matches in JalandharMinerva Punjab FC is most likely to play their home games of the AFC Cup at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar. The stadium used to host JCT till 2011, when the club shut its operations. The
All India Football Federation
(AIFF) has already carried out a round of inspection, but are yet to issue a clearance. If the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar doesn't get the required permission, then Minerva will play its home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
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