Thursday , March 28 2024

My INTERVIEW with Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Chennaiyin FC/Mumbai FC)!

I had the chance to interview former Indian international and allrounder Mehrajuddin Wadoo about his 2016/17 season, his plans as a player for the new season and what he wants to do in the future after ending his active playing career.

To me personally you had a good ISL campaign with Chennaiyin FC and I-League side Mumbai FC, but Chennaiyin FC failed to reach the semifinals and Mumbai FC got relegated. How do you personally rate your 2016/17 season?

I think with Chennayin FC I had a decent ISL season personally, but when it comes to the team I think we failed to achieve what we were supposed to as defending champions. The reason to me was that we couldn’t score when we needed to and even when we were leading in some games we conceded silly goals and that too in the last 10 minutes.

I then joined Mumbai FC in the middle of the I-League season. At the time Mumbai FC had lost six consecutive games and were in a bad state. As soon as I joined I started to play as a central defender. We still managed to keep five cleen sheets in 10 games but failed to score as well. I am feeling very sad that the only team from Mumbai got relegated.

With uncertainly of the Indian club football calendar and system. Have you decided for yourself what you would want to do or prefer to do?

No. I have not decided yet, but I want to play as long as I can and I also enjoy. After the end of my career, I most probably will want to go into coaching as I have done my AFC ‘C’ licence and love to teach what I know.

You have been around in the Indian football scene. How to you see Indian football at the moment?

Its growing as we are 100 in the FIFA World Rankings and with the introduction of the ISL, Indian football is becoming more popular and competitive. A lot of players are getting to train in Europe now and that is surely helping.

You have been involved in football development in your home state of Jammu & Kashmir. How do you see football there?

Yes, It’s always been a dream for me to see players from my home state to participate in domestic and international tournaments. Football really is a passion here and there is lot of talent but we need to work to build infrastracture.

Recently the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council and JKFA announced plans to set up the first ever football academy in the state. It will be called State Football Academy. The boys of this acdemy will play all registered tournaments and with this academy we will form a competitive I-League team. It’s a great initiative and I’m also involved in it to develop the game. It’s a nice project and I hope it will be a great success, Inshallah.

How are you currently helping football in J&K?

I always do some coaching camps when I visit my home state in the off season but that too for some limited time because of my domestic club engagements. But now with the State Football Academy, I will work even more to help the football players in my state.

You are nearing the end of your playing career. A number of your former team mates have become coaches in the recent past. You mentioned earlier, you also want to go into coaching. What are your plans for the time after your playing career?

Yes many of my former team mates are into coaching. They all are doing well and most probably I will also be coaching in the future.

Thanks a lot for the interview!

About Arunava Chaudhuri

Check Also

I-League Round 24 Preview: Inter Kashi have the potential to be a killjoy in Mohammedan Sporting’s party!

Mohammedan Sporting will have one hand on the coveted I-League 2023-24 trophy if they can …