Sanju Pradhan: Football will survive this crisis

Coronavirus has changed the world and it has changed football too. Now we are seeing matches being played in empty stands and the players not even shaking hands, just 6 months back non of us would have imagined this would happen.

In India too the I-League season was canceled early and Mohun Bagan was declared winners with some matches to go as they had a comfortable lead. Now most of the Indian players are at home and keeping themselves busy doing many activities during this long period of lockdown.

One such player is Sanju Pradhan from Sikkim, India International, and former East Bengal Captain who is now with Punjab FC. Sanju had a good last season helping his team finish 2nd in the I-League table. Ask Sanju about how is he spending the lockdown? “I am at home in Sombaria with my family spending some quality time with them, my wife is also teaching me how to cook and do a bit of gardening, we have a variety of organic vegetables” shares Sanju.
He further added that it was very satisfying for him to provide food to the frontline warriors recently like the Sikkim Police, IRB and the BSF, who was on duty at the borders with Nepal and West Bengal. “I along with my excellent team at my Academy (Sanju Football Academy decided that we should to something and we out and provided them food, which I think is a small gesture but I was happy when the frontline warriors appreciated it and thanked us for our service.     

Sanju is also keeping himself busy with different online interviews and webinars and training at home. After the recent easing of lockdown, he is also going to the Academy and touching the ball with a few of the boys and sharing his knowledge with them.

Sanju is also fully aware that football might not be the same again for a considerable amount of time and playing in front of empty stadiums will be the new Normal but this midfield general is positive about the future of the beautiful game.

“I think coronavirus will have a major impact on football like any other aspect of life and as players and fans, we should be ready to make some adjustments. I think for sometime spectators and fans might not be allowed to attend the games which is not a very good thing but we have to do all these to contain the spread of the virus but I am sure our beloved football will survive this crisis and once again things will be normal.” Said Sanju

Lastly, he requested the administration to ease the restrictions further after studying the situation on sports training as they have to remain fit and it will be good if they can train freely in the gyms (Indoor Stadiums) and outdoors on the grounds.