‘ISL has given Indian football wings’
THE Indian Super League (ISL) has brought a sustainable structure to Indian football, including infrastructure and great coaches, according to Hyderabad FC midfielder Nikhil Poojary.
Poojary, one of the most important players in the Hyderabad side, has played 28 games for them in the last two seasons of the ISL.
“The Hero ISL has had a tremendous impact on Indian football. The reason I say that is now we have top grounds, facilities and great coaches.
“It has brought a structure to Indian football that is sustainable and will have a positive impact on the long-term future of the sport in the country,” he said in an interview on the ISL website.
The 2020-21 season saw 11 teams participate in the league and as many as 115 matches were fought tooth and nail.
Poojary, who made his ISL debut in FC Pune City colours in 2018-19, said the league has given wings to Indian football.
Born in Mangalore, Poojary grew up in Mumbai. In the early part of his footballing career, he represented Mumbai FC and East Bengal (now SC East Bengal) before joining FC Pune City in the ISL.
“I hail from Navi Mumbai, and like most Mumbaikars, we are a middle-class family. We had a modest upbringing. My dad was the sole breadwinner back then. He gave my brother and me everything we asked for and supported us. My mother was a pillar of support who took care of everything at home.”
When asked if he harboured a dream of becoming an athlete growing up, the 25-yearold said: “No. I wanted to take part in many events, and win medals. I used to think that professional athletes are different from others and they had their own lifestyle.”
Like everyone else, Poojary is trying to find ways to cope with the challenges of the pandemic, both on a personal as well as a professional level.
“It’s been difficult for everyone. It’s been a year to forget but as an athlete, you try to do as much as you can to help your family and friends in these times. And other times you try to follow a routine so you can keep yourself in excellent condition,” he said.