He’s got what it takes

KATHMANDU, JUL 23 - It is easily the most exciting news for Nepal’s football fans, indeed for all Nepalis, starved of a sporting icon of international acclaim. Thursday’s news reports about Rohit Chand being in the transfer radar of English giants Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal sound too good to be true. But anybody who has watched the 19-year-old in action, cannot, for sure, easily rubbish the reports as purely ‘romantic’. Nepal coach Graham Paul Roberts, former Tottenham skipper himself, has recommended Chand to the English clubs, describing him as the ‘best centre half he has ever coached’.

Arsenal’s interest in Chand gives much credence to the news, as the club’s emphasis on producing their own talent pool, rather than spending big money in the transfer market for established players. Spurs pretty much follow the same ideology.

Cynics may say one need get too carried away by what Roberts says. He is still new to the coaching job, with just six years of experience with such teams as the Scottish third-tier Clyde and the Pakistan national team. But his experience at the top level of European football gives him solid insight into the talent of emerging players, not least in Chand. Chand has always been able to win the heart of his fans and team mates wherever he played - Machhindra Club in Nepal and Hindustan Aeronautics in India.

Blessed with a good physique - weighing 69 kgs and standing 5 feet 10 inches tall - Chand’s biggest asset is his consistent performance, a result of his discipline, hard work and his outstanding ability to read the game. What gives him the edge over all the other players, many believe, is his ability to use both his legs well. Anybody who has seen him play the game will agree that he has loads of talent.

One of Chand’s good buddies, Bishal Shrestha, a product of the All Nepal Football Academy, as Chand himself, puts it well. “He is hard-working and he knows his destiny. Most importantly, he makes sure he gets what he wants,” says Shrestha “I feel his cool temperament on the pitch and his ability to dictate terms of the game makes him different from most other footballers.”

He was one of the first from his batch to sign a contract abroad for India’s top-flight side Hindustan Aeronautics for a monthly salary of IRs 124,000, a rare feat for a Nepali player. But he never let the hype get the better of him. “Though, he was making a lot more money than most of us, his attitude towards his friends and family never changed. He was the same old guy, finding time for family and friends.”

Needless to say, Chand’s elder sibling, Rabindra Chand, a former footballer, was thrilled to read the reports, but he still harbours doubts about top clubs coming after him due to Fifa’s rules that makes it difficult for countries ranked below 90 to play in Europe. However, after scanning the web for the whole day (Friday) Rabindra has been able to convince himself a little about the news.

“It’s obviously big news but we will have to wait till Sunday to find out if it’s true,” says Rabindra.

It’s not just Chand who has a chance to make it big in international football. According to Roberts, besides Chand, defenders Sandeep Rai and Sagar Thapa and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong’s performances will also be watched carefully by the English scouts.

Professional career

After passing out from Anfa Academy, Chand was signed by local outfit Machhindra Football Club in 2009 as the captain of the club. Chand was the key player in the squad, making 22 appearances in the Martyrs’ Memorial A Division League contested by 12 clubs. The following year, Chand was signed by Manang Marshyangdi Club but his days at Manang were numbered as he made leap to the Indian Premier League by joining Hindustan Aeronautics for IR. 124,000.

In India he became an instant hit, making it to the starting lineup in almost all the club’s matches. His major highlight in India was being featured in Goal.com’s five foreign players to watch in the season.

Chand was just 17 when he got a calling for the national team for Nepal’s AFC Challenge Cup match against Palestine in 2009. Since then he has been a regular member in the team.

Early life

Born to retired Major Arjun Chand and Lila Chand in Surkhet in 1992 on March 1, Rohit is the youngest of the three siblings. As his father served in the India Army in Dehradhun, Rohit spent almost 10 years of his childhood in his father’s quarters in India. He learnt the basics of the game by watching his father play football in the barracks. After his father’s stint in the army was over, the family returned to their native home in Surkhet. His breakthrough in the game was when he got selected in the Anfa’s U-14 camp in Kathmandu. The rest, as they say, is history.