Cop prefers serving his country to playing football overseas
A DURBAN man turned down a US football scholarship that could have potentially landed him a professional contract with an overseas club because he preferred to serve his country by fighting crime as a metro policeman.
Keshan Chetty, 23, who is doing a municipal police course at the Metro Police College in Durban’s Lahee Park, recently received a scholarship offer from The Bridge Sports Foundation. The Us-based organisation’s mission is to provide talented African athletes the opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams in the US and UK, by offering football scholarships.
Chetty, a Phoenix resident, was among nearly 60 trialists from around the country and neighbouring African states who gathered in Pietermaritzburg for a shot at the scholarships offered by the Foundation.
Having impressed the adjudicators with his football ability, Chetty and two other trialists were selected for the US scholarships.
He said turning down the offer was a tough decision.
Chetty said it came after a few sleepless nights, but he was satisfied he had made the right choice. “It was an extremely difficult decision, especially since it is a recognised institution that has links to the top clubs around the world,” he said.
In making his decision, Chetty considered that one could only be a professional footballer for a limited period, injuries were always an issue and there were “no guarantees”.
“I also realised I needed to show my loyalty to the metro police because they gave me an opportunity in life, and serving my country, protecting communities and preventing crime is what I’m most passionate about,” said Chetty.
He joined the metro police in June 2018 as a “white shirt” where he learnt how to control traffic, and he is presently in the early stages of an 18-month municipal policing course.
“My dad is also a policeman. He has been in the service for 25 years as a colonel,” he said. Chetty said his father was a role model and a good leader. “I want to continue his legacy,” he said.
The speedy winger started playing
football at age 10. When he was 13, he played youth football for PSL team Lamontville Golden Arrows and later joined Amazulu’s Under-17 team, with which he twice won the prestigious Engen Tournament.
Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said they commended people with Chetty’s attitude of choosing to “serve the family in blue, the country and its people”.