Sayantan Chowdhury, who is captaining Assam Titans at the ongoing Northeast Futsal League in Guwahati, is undoubtedly one of the best in the tournament. The 25-year-old has so far single-handedly rescued Assam with his solid goal-keeping.
Though he has played professional futsal at the highest level in the UK with Nottingham Futsal, he still wants to play for India. “Definitely, I am looking for that moment. I hope to do that soon once India has a futsal team…maybe one day,” Sayantan said.
He has recently completed FA Futsal level-1 coaching as well. Sayantan has played in Zagreb for Dynamo (Croatia) for a season and has been a contracted sports scholar for all these years with Nottingham Futsal.
He has had the privilege of playing regularly in front of 1,000-plus crowd and in university varsity fixtures, continental fixtures, FA Cup fixtures with over 3,000 viewership. During pre-season 2017, he had played fixtures with tier-1 clubs like Benfica Futsal and Sporting Futsal.
“I am trying to play more with Indian players…when there is a national team, so that I will get the opportunity to train and appear for the trials …that is one of my dreams. Every player dreams to play for their coun-try…since I have been playing futsal for five to six years now. I play in a very professional set-up and that has always been my dream. Half of my squad plays for the England national team. India does not have a national team…so I am yet to play for a national team,” Sayantan added.
Sayantan, who spent some of his childhood years in Guwahati, and is Assam caption because of the association, is excited to play with the local players.
“It is great to be back here and play alongside with the local players. I am also trying to help these boys with whatever I have learnt over the years like how to do stretching, cool down and warm up besides what to eat…stuff like that. Whatever time I am here I am trying to give it back. That has always been my target to help…because it is a team game. So, after the tournament if a few boys come out who can play good futsal, my purpose is served instead of me being in the limelight. When I see these players, it reminds me of my early days.”
On Indian football, Sayantan said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) must invest on youths and play longer competitions with participation of maximum players.
“If you see the model around the world in Germany or in England…professional players need to play at least 40-plus games. But here you play ISL and I League just for a few months. You need to bring all the players together….”
