Latest news with #SunilChhetri
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘TV is the only thing I've bought…everything else you see is all her choice': Sunil Chhetri shares a glimpse of his Bengaluru home with wife Sonam Bhattacharya
When Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and his wife Sonam Bhattacharya decided to build their home, it was about crafting comfort after years of distance and a hectic sporting life. 'All the places that I've lived before… the majority was because of my career,' Sunil begins candidly in a video tour of their home for Asian Paints' Where The Heart Is. 'When we decided we're gonna get married, I thought we had to have our own nest. And this is what we made.' 'For me, home is the place where I can be myself,' Sunil reflects. 'When I come home, I just feel peace. I just relax… I'm calmer.' Their house is witness to their quiet mornings, shared coffee on the deck, and a kitchen garden that Sonam lovingly tends. 'Next time when you come to my house, you'll find a full-on herb garden here,' she beams. From the start, their story was one of understanding and evolution. 'We never lived together… but I think—long distance, yeah—all the time.' That friendship gave way to a natural ease when building a life together. 'Marrying someone who understands those things, coming from the family that she comes from, and knowing me for the last 15 years really helped,' Sunil says. 'TV is the only thing that I've bought. Everything else you see in the house is all her choice.' Walk around their house and you'll see warm wood tones and an open layout. 'There is no match to it. This is what I wanted,' Sunil says about the heavy use of wood. 'That's my mentality.' From wedding gifts turned keepsakes to a 'glass walk-in closet' that Sonam cheekily admits is 'only my stuff… because I'm the most organised one,' the home tells their story in tactile ways. One major design challenge was optimising space: 'We always wanted that the kitchen and the living area—or the drawing room—should be open and a big one,' Sunil explains. 'Sadly, in this house, we didn't have a big space. So we broke the wall of the kitchen… now everything is in one place.' While football runs through Sunil's veins, there's another side of him that lives in his study. 'This is the room—my office room—that I spend most of my time in, thinking out new things, trying to bring up new ideas,' he says. 'So many things that were pending that I wanted to do, apart from football. It's a nice feeling inside.' A personal highlight? His Golden Tweet Award, the most retweeted post of his career. 'So unexpected. I never ever would have thought I'm gonna get… but this is really sweet.' At the heart of it all is humility. 'There are so many who have dreamt of it. There are so many who are dreaming. I'm living the dream,' Sunil says of being India's national football captain once. 'This is something which is only me, there's only one captain, there's only one Sunil Chhetri in this country. It's an amazing feeling.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Durand Cup 2025: Kokrajhar welcomes football's grand return with a spectacular opening ceremony
The 134th Durand Cup reached Kokrajhar on July 27, 2025, with the SAI Stadium playing host to the prestigious century-old tournament for the third successive year. The city welcomed the event with a vibrant celebration ahead of the first Group D clash between Assam's Morning Star FC and ITBP FT. The grand opening ceremony was graced by Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) as Chief Guest, and Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), along with other dignitaries. Also present were Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, former Prime Minister of Bhutan and Guest of Honour, and Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri . The political leadership of Assam and Bodoland was represented by Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Minister for Handloom, Textile and Sericulture, Soil Conservation and Welfare of Bodoland Department; Rwngwra Narzary, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; and Shri Joyanta Basumatary, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha. Senior officers of the armed forces, including Lt. Gen. Gambhir Singh (GOC 4 Corps), Major Gen. Rajesh Arun Moghe (GOC Bengal Sub Area & Vice Chairman, DCOC), Maj. Gen. Rohin Bawa (GOC 21 Mountain) and Brig. Akshay Kapoor (Commander 107 Mountain Brigade), were also in attendance. Speaking on the occasion, Pramod Boro said, 'We are writing a new story where football has taken the role of harmony in Kokrajhar. We have given the youth a platform through football to give them more confidence to move ahead in life. Football has united our villages and has given us a path to move forward. Sports have played a huge role in eliminating violence from Bodoland. I am thankful to the Indian Armed Forces on behalf of the people of Bodoland by bringing the Durand Cup to Bodoland Territorial Region for the third consecutive time. I also thank all the people of the organising committee, SAI and everyone else involved for working towards a successful Durand Cup.' Football icon Sunil Chhetri inspired the packed stadium with his words and said, 'I hope that everyone realises that whatever you want to dream in sports, it is not too far. Nothing changes or galvanizes a place better than sports and football is the best sport in the country to do that and I urge everyone to make use of the facilities that are provided. I thank the people of Bodoland for all the warmth, and I wish everyone the best of luck. ' Celebrations began three hours before kick-off, building a festive buzz with a DJ set, a Hot Air Balloon display, and a rich mix of performances—from the Pipe Band and Maj. Yogesh Adhikari to a vibrant Punjabi Bhangra dance. A Dog Show, a unique Pipe and Jazz band fusion, and the regimental song Badluram ka Badan by Major M.T. Prokto added further colour to the festivities. Joi Baruah and his band entertained fans before and during halftime, while a recorded message by the Hon'ble President of India unveiling the Durand Cup trophies in Delhi (on July 4) was screened during the felicitation of dignitaries. The cultural richness of Assam was on full display with Bagurumba, Bihu, Bardwi Sikhla and Dahal Thungri performances. In parallel, the crowd witnessed aeromodelling stunts and an exhilarating Paramotor fly-past by the 10 PARA Special Forces. Artist Geeta Shri energised the crowd with a rendition of Waka Waka , followed by a thrilling Khukri performance by the Gorkha regiment. The highlight of the evening came with a fly-past by Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, leaving the stadium in awe. Chenda Drummers with Kalaripayattu (Kerala's martial art) and Chau dancers from West Bengal brought the cultural segment to a powerful close.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Whatever You Want To Dream...': Sunil Chhetri In Kokrajhar For Durand Cup 2025
Also present during the grand opening ceremony celebrations ahead of kick-off of the first Group D game between Assam's Morning Star FC and ITBP FT were the Hon'ble Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Pramod Boro who was Chief Guest, and Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), among other dignitaries. Celebrations began three hours before kick-off building up the festive fervour among the city's passionate fans and comprised thrilling military displays sprinkled with local and national musical and cultural performances. The state and the Bodoland region's political leadership was represented among others by Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Hon'ble Minister for Handloom, Textile and Sericulture, Soil Conservation and Welfare of Bodoland Department, Govt. of Assam, Rwngwra Narzary, member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Joyanta Basumatary, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha. Representing the Armed Forces leadership was Lt. Gen. Gambhir Singh, AVSM, YSM GOC 4 Corps, Major Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe, VSM GOC, Bengal Sub Area & Vice Chairman, DCOC, Maj. Gen. Rohin Bawa, YSM GOC 21Mountain and Brig. Akshay Kapoor, Commander 107 Mountain Brigade. Speaking on the occasion, Pramod Boro said, 'We are writing a new story where football has taken the role of harmony in Kokrajhar. We have given the youth a platform through football to give them more confidence to move ahead in life. Football has united our villages and has given a path to move forward. Sports has a played a huge role in eliminating violence from Bodoland. I am thankful to the Indian Armed Forces on behalf of the people of Bodoland by bringing the Durand Cup to Bodoland Territorial Region for the third consecutive time. I also thank all the people of organising committee, SAI and everyone else involved for working towards a successful Durand Cup." What Did Sunil Chhetri Say? Sunil Chhetri motivated the crowd by saying, 'I hope that everyone realises that whatever you want to dream in sports, it is not too far. Nothing changes or galvanises a place better than sports and football is the best sport in the country to do that and I urge everyone to make use of the facilities that are provided. I thank the people of Bodoland for all the warmth and I wish everyone the best of luck." The celebrations began with a DJ playing music to charge up the slowly gathering crowd and a Hot Air Balloon display to mesmerise them further. The musical soiree continued with performances from the Pipe Band and Maj. Yogesh Adhikari, followed by a Punjabi Bhangra dance performance. An exciting Dog Show then enthralled audiences in between a wonderful fusion performance by a Pipe and Jazz band and a rendition of Badluram ka Badan, a regimental song of the Assam Regiment which was created as an ode to World War II martyr Rifleman Badluram, by Major M.T. Prokto Then Joi Baruah and Band entertained with their performances on both sides of the arrival of dignitaries, felicitation of the Guests of Honour and the playing of the video of the Hon'ble President of India unveiling the Durand Cup Trophies in Delhi on July 4th. A Brass Band display performance then preceded the keynote address delivered by the Pramod Boro and the motivating speech delivered by the great Sunil Chhetri. A display of the culture of the State of Assam followed as Bagurumba, Bihu, Bardwi Sikhla & Dahal Thungri performances reverberated across the SAI stadium. Concurrently, there was also an Aeromodel display and a display by the Indian Army's Paramotor Team comprising pilots from the 10 PARA Special Forces who showcased a spectacular fly past. advetisement Artist Geeta Shri then send the crowd into raptures with a performance of the famous Waka Waka song, an anthem for football celebrations around the world. The military was also not to be left behind in cultural performances as the Gorkha regiment then displayed their famous skills with the deadly Khukri. The ceremony was then left spellbound as the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets performed a fly past over the stadium. The final two cultural performances involved Chenda Drummers alongside Kalaripayattu, a Kerala martial art display performed by the 21st Battalion D Madras Regiment and a Chau Dance performance by artists from West Bengal. A Trophy drill and a brief on the Durand Trophies was then given and the Durand theme video played, before the players lined up on the pitch to a fly past by Army Aviation Heptrs. The Chief Guest was introduced to the players and he exchanged greetings with both teams and the match officials before a ceremonial kick of the football by Boro formally opened the Kokrajhar Durand Cup leg of 2025. advetisement
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Indian soccer 'hurt, scared' as domestic game hits fresh low
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter once called India a "sleeping giant" of soccer, but the sport is mired in fresh crisis in the country and faces problems from the top down to grassroots. The men's national team is without a coach and the Indian Super League (ISL) — India's top competition — is in danger of collapsing over a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner. "Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with," Sunil Chhetri, the celebrated veteran striker, wrote on X about the fate of the ISL. The former national skipper unwittingly summed up one of the issues facing Indian soccer when he came out of international retirement in March aged 40. The striker has 95 goals for his country and is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (138), Lionel Messi (112) and Ali Daei (108) in the all-time international scoring charts. His best days are well behind him, but with no younger replacements coming through he returned to the national side. India's men are 133rd in the FIFA rankings — their lowest placing in nearly a decade — and have won just one of their last 16 matches. They have never reached the World Cup and Spaniard Manolo Marquez stepped down this month as head coach after just one year and one win in eight games. His last act was to oversee a 1-0 defeat in Asian Cup qualifying to Hong Kong, which has a population of 7.5 million to India's 1.4 billion. Disarray The ISL is usually played between September and April. But a rights agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the company which runs the ISL, ends on December 8 and is yet to be renewed. The league is now paralyzed ahead of the new campaign and the uncertainty has affected over 5,000 players, coaches, staff and others. India's Sunil Chhetri gestures to fans during a World Cup AFC qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024. | Reuters National soccer team director and former captain Subrata Paul is confident the sport in India — a country obsessed with cricket — will come out stronger. "Indian football, like any growing ecosystem, will face its share of challenges and transitions," said Paul, regarded as one of India's best-ever goalkeepers. "I see this as a time to pause, reflect and refocus. Yes, the recent results and the uncertainty around the ISL are difficult for all of us who love the game, but I see a silver lining as well. "It's an opportunity to strengthen our foundation by investing in youth development, infrastructure and quality coaching." The franchise-based ISL started in 2014 as a league that brought global stars including Italy's Alessandro Del Piero to India, and aimed to promote the game in a new avatar. Bur rather than boom, the ISL has seen dwindling TV ratings and falling sponsor interest. Wenger help and hope Soccer's global bosses have long been keen to tap the potential that India has as the world's most populous country. Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager and now FIFA's chief of global soccer development, visited in 2023 to inaugurate an academy. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey — who is also a politician with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party — last month met Wenger, who has backed India's soccer development, particularly at grassroots level. Chaubey said Wenger believes starting soccer at 13 years of age, as is the norm in India, is too late. Players should start by eight, he said. While India has never reached the World Cup and again will be absent in North America next year, there has been modest success in the distant past. India qualified for the Olympics four times between 1948 and 1960. At the 1956 Melbourne Games India came fourth after losing the bronze-medal match to Bulgaria. Blatter in 2007 called India a "sleeping giant" — but it remains in a deep slumber. 'Own benefit' Soccer is a distant third in popularity in India after cricket and hockey, with the eastern city of Kolkata and the southern state of Kerala hotspots for the sport. Compounding that, there has long been mismanagement by Indian soccer chiefs, said veteran sports journalist Jaydeep Basu. "The fact that the team which was ranked 99 in September 2023 has come down to 133 basically shows poor management," Basu said. "There is a caucus working in the AIFF of two or three people who are running the show for their own benefit," added Basu, who recently authored a book, "Who stole my football?"
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Indian football ‘hurt, scared' as domestic game hits fresh low
ISL in danger of collapsing over dispute between federation and its partner NEW DELHI: Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter once called India a 'sleeping giant' of football, but the sport is mired in fresh crisis in the country and faces problems from the top down to grassroots. The men's national team are without a coach and the Indian Super League (ISL) - India's top competition - is in danger of collapsing over a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner. 'Everybody in the Indian football ecosystem is worried, hurt, scared about the uncertainty we are faced with,' Sunil Chhetri, the celebrated veteran striker, wrote on X about the fate of the ISL. The former national skipper unwittingly summed up one of the issues facing Indian football when he came out of international retirement in March aged 40. The striker has 95 goals for his country and is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (138), Lionel Messi (112) and Ali Daei (108) in the all-time international scoring charts. His best days are well behind him, but with no younger replacements coming through he returned to the national side. India's men are 133rd in the FIFA rankings - their lowest placing in nearly a decade - and have won just one of their last 16 matches. They have never reached the World Cup and Spaniard Manolo Marquez stepped down this month as head coach after just one year and one win in eight games. His last act was to oversee a 1-0 defeat in Asian Cup qualifying to Hong Kong, population 7.5 million to India's 1.4 billion. The ISL is usually played between September and April. But a rights agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the company which runs the ISL, ends on December 8 and is yet to be renewed. The league is now paralyzed ahead of the new campaign and the uncertainty has affected over 5,000 players, coaches, staff and others. National football team director and former captain Subrata Paul is confident the sport in India - a country obsessed with cricket - will come out stronger. 'Indian football, like any growing ecosystem, will face its share of challenges and transitions,' Paul, regarded as one of India's best-ever goalkeepers, told AFP. 'I see this as a time to pause, reflect and refocus. Yes, the recent results and the uncertainty around the ISL are difficult for all of us who love the game, but I see a silver lining as well. 'It's an opportunity to strengthen our foundation by investing in youth development, infrastructure and quality coaching.' The franchise-based ISL started in 2014 as a league that brought global stars including Italy's Alessandro Del Piero to India, and aimed to promote the game in a new avatar. Bur rather than boom, the ISL has seen dwindling TV ratings and falling sponsor interest. Football's global bosses have long been keen to tap the potential that India has as the world's most populous country. Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager and now FIFA's chief of global football development, visited in 2023 to inaugurate an academy. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey - who is also a politician with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party - last month met Wenger, who has backed India's football development, particularly at grassroots level. Chaubey said Wenger believes starting football at 13 years of age, as is the norm in India, is too late. Players should start by eight, he said. While India have never reached the World Cup and again will be absent in North America next year, there has been modest success in the distant past. India qualified for the Olympics four times between 1948 and 1960. At the 1956 Melbourne Games India came fourth after losing the bronze-medal match to Bulgaria. Blatter in 2007 called India a 'sleeping giant' - but it remains in a deep slumber. Football is a distant third in popularity in India after cricket and hockey, with the eastern city of Kolkata and the southern state of Kerala hotspots for the sport. Compounding that, there has long been mismanagement by Indian football chiefs, said veteran sports journalist Jaydeep Basu. 'The fact that the team which was ranked 99 in September 2023 has come down to 133 basically shows poor management,' Basu told AFP. 'There is a caucus working in the AIFF of two or three people who are running the show for their own benefit,' added Basu, who recently authored a book, 'Who stole my football?' — AFP
