With India in his blood, Swansea’s Dhanda wants to play for the Blue Tigers | Goa News
Panaji: Swansea City midfielder Yan Dhanda is desperate to represent India and offer the sport a helping hand.
For several years now, Dhanda, who represented England at youth level and trained with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, has followed Indian football and believes the country can benefit if its doors are open to native players. Indian.
Holder of an Overseas Indian Citizen (OCI) card, the 23-year-old holds a British passport. Her father is from Punjab, while her mother is English.
“I want to represent India and I believe I can really help the national team,” Dhanda told TOI. “I have followed Indian football and seen the recent results which include defeats against Bahrain and Belarus. They should win such games. My presence can improve the results and also benefit the players. Playing with better players always makes people better.
According to Ministry of Sports guidelines, only Indian citizens are eligible to represent the country in international events.
Birmingham-born Dhanda has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level and is now keen to move up to senior level, like several other well-known footballers.
“When I was young I had opportunities to play for England and I took them. I wanted to experience playing for England and representing my country at a young age. Obviously now, I play with Swansea and I follow Indian football closely. India is in my blood. I believe that I can go there and help improve the results. It can be positive for everyone. For my part, I made the decision. I would love to play for India and things can change,” Dhanda said.
Prompted by several fan requests, Dhanda took a trip to India in 2019 and was amazed at how much the sport benefits here.
“The sport is so successful in India that many fans attend the games. These fans deserve the national team to play quality teams and progress. If players like me can come and play for India, it will help everyone. world,” Dhanda said.
There are currently less than a dozen South Asian footballers under professional contract in the UK and Dhanda is one of the most influential South Asians in football.
“First of all, it’s very difficult to become a professional footballer in England. Then, being South Asian, I think it’s even more difficult.
“I managed to do it and I’m super proud. I want to continue to use my voice to inspire young Asian players to come, believing they can make a name for themselves in English football,” he said.
Dhanda trained regularly with Liverpool reserves and joined the first team on a pre-season tour in 2017. He spent five years with the Reds and left for Swansea in 2018, scoring on his debut with his first touch in professional football.
“Having Yan and players like him would give India a boost,” said UK-based Baljit Rihal, CEO of Inventive Sports and founder of the Asian Football Awards. “In terms of OCI, I think there are doubts that if India has such players, then the local talent will not be developed. There should be a cap on OCI. If they don’t allow only three high-quality players, it can have a big impact. The government should think about it,” Rihal said.
For several years now, Dhanda, who represented England at youth level and trained with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, has followed Indian football and believes the country can benefit if its doors are open to native players. Indian.
Holder of an Overseas Indian Citizen (OCI) card, the 23-year-old holds a British passport. Her father is from Punjab, while her mother is English.
“I want to represent India and I believe I can really help the national team,” Dhanda told TOI. “I have followed Indian football and seen the recent results which include defeats against Bahrain and Belarus. They should win such games. My presence can improve the results and also benefit the players. Playing with better players always makes people better.
According to Ministry of Sports guidelines, only Indian citizens are eligible to represent the country in international events.
Birmingham-born Dhanda has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level and is now keen to move up to senior level, like several other well-known footballers.
“When I was young I had opportunities to play for England and I took them. I wanted to experience playing for England and representing my country at a young age. Obviously now, I play with Swansea and I follow Indian football closely. India is in my blood. I believe that I can go there and help improve the results. It can be positive for everyone. For my part, I made the decision. I would love to play for India and things can change,” Dhanda said.
Prompted by several fan requests, Dhanda took a trip to India in 2019 and was amazed at how much the sport benefits here.
“The sport is so successful in India that many fans attend the games. These fans deserve the national team to play quality teams and progress. If players like me can come and play for India, it will help everyone. world,” Dhanda said.
There are currently less than a dozen South Asian footballers under professional contract in the UK and Dhanda is one of the most influential South Asians in football.
“First of all, it’s very difficult to become a professional footballer in England. Then, being South Asian, I think it’s even more difficult.
“I managed to do it and I’m super proud. I want to continue to use my voice to inspire young Asian players to come, believing they can make a name for themselves in English football,” he said.
Dhanda trained regularly with Liverpool reserves and joined the first team on a pre-season tour in 2017. He spent five years with the Reds and left for Swansea in 2018, scoring on his debut with his first touch in professional football.
“Having Yan and players like him would give India a boost,” said UK-based Baljit Rihal, CEO of Inventive Sports and founder of the Asian Football Awards. “In terms of OCI, I think there are doubts that if India has such players, then the local talent will not be developed. There should be a cap on OCI. If they don’t allow only three high-quality players, it can have a big impact. The government should think about it,” Rihal said.