Thursday , March 28 2024

Odisha FC’s Raj Athwal: Watford FC partnership to be key to change the football landscape in Odisha!

Odisha FC president Raj Athwal and Head of Football Operations Abhik Chatterjee described various points of the International Club Partnership with Watford FC during a virtual press conference organized after the historic announcement on Wednesday evening. Watford FC’s Commercial Director Paul O’Brien; Head of Media Relations and Communications, Richard Walker; and International Marketing Officer, Rohan Shukla were also a part of the media interaction.

Explaining the historic partnership, Raj Athwal said, “I am absolutely delighted and excited with the partnership with Watford. I worked for the Club previously so I know a lot about the Club. They are a very ambitious football club, they have a vision that is very similar to ours, aligned to Odisha Football Club’s ambitions, our vision, and what we want to achieve as a club. The partnership is about the substance in terms of community development, academy, total change of landscape for Odisha Football Club. We will be looking at our first team to potentially have a pre-season next season at Watford.”

“We will also have several of our youth players who will get to train with Watford’s football academy teams. This will not only develop the aspects of their own game but will also help Odisha FC and Indian football as well. There are so many different facets that will be essential for us to progress. Let’s not forget women’s football as well. That’s gonna be key to our development in Odisha. I would like to thank Watford Football Club, the Odisha government for helping us to facilitate this International Partnership that is very very unique,” he further added.

“This isn’t just about developing footballers. We are talking about nutrition, we are talking about analysis, we are talking about all aspects of the industry both on and off the pitch with support from Watford and vice-a-versa. We will work around what we can but there are so many different facets to the partnership. It’s a three-year partnership and it will evolve. It’s an opportunity for the development of all our young players, boys and girls, and this is where Watford will be instrumental in supporting us. This is going to be the key to change the football landscape in Odisha,” the Club President mentioned.

Odisha FC’s Head of Football Operations Abhik Chatterjee opined that there is a positive air in the OFC camp with all the good work that is being done off the field. He is also hopeful that the positive energy will translate onto the football pitch in the near future.

“In this season, with the partnership with Watford and all the work that we are doing, everybody is very optimistic. For a football club, a lot of people will measure it in terms of where you finish on the table but for a lot of football people, it’s about the impact that you can make with football in your community, particular state, and the catchment area that you are belonging,” Mr. Chatterjee stated.

“Players looking at Odisha FC can think that I can join this club and there is an opportunity to go to Watford and train there, and if I am good enough there is a pathway for me to make it to the very top level. All of what we are doing is with the best intentions in mind and it is actually to make an impact within India and within Odisha. Hopefully, all this energy translates onto the pitch as well and we can give our fans and the Indian football community in terms of the result as well.”

Asked about the plans for the development of women’s football in India, the Club President replied, “Women’s football is actually the key. When I came to Odisha FC one of the key elements was there to take care of women’s football. That was another reason for joining with Watford FC is that they have a professional set up for women’s football. It (plans for women’s football in the partnership) is still in the embryonic stages but there is definitely a commitment there. We have this opportunity now in India to grow women’s football especially in Odisha, we are committed to it. It’s not something that will happen overnight. We have to plan it correctly and execute it correctly.”

At the end of the media interaction, Abhik concluded by saying, “All of us are really excited and there’s been a lot of work that has gone onto this. A big thank you to Watford, I think they really understood what we want to do with respect to Indian football. I think there is a real synergy and the intentions are very pure.”

“A big thank you to the Government of Odisha who have been extremely supportive throughout our association with them. They want the Club to excel and the community in Odisha to grow and become a force to reckon with. They are extremely passionate about this partnership and the development of women’s football as well. Thanks a lot to the Indian Super League and Star Sports for their help as well. Extremely excited about where this partnership is heading.”

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