Chhetri may be playing his last season: Stimac

KOLKATA, MAR 15 (PTI): Talismanic striker

Sunil Chhetri “may be playing the last season” of his illustrious career, feels Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac, who is hoping that his star player would be saving his best for the last in the coming months.

India’s next big assignment is the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar from January 12 to February 10 next year. The 38-year-old Chhetri is set to play in his third continental showpiece, the most by an Indian, after playing a pivotal role in the qualification tournament here last year.

“At his age, this will probably be his farewell from football. Obviously, Sunil may be playing his last season, and definitely his last Asian Cup,” Stimac said.

“I’m quite sure that the upcoming months will be the best for Sunil Chhetri,” he was quoted as saying in the official All India Football Federation (AIFF) website.

The national team is currently having a five-day camp here ahead of the Tri-Nation Football Tournament in Imphal from March 22. Chhetri, the third most prolific international goal scorer among active players with 84 strikes behind Cristiano Ronaldo (118) and

Lionel Messi (98), was part of the Indian teams that featured in the 2011 and 2019 Asian Cup. The 38-year-old Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005, played a key role in Bengaluru FC making to Indian Super League final to be played on

Saturday.

“Sunil Chhetri was nowhere to be seen this season. He was on the bench, waiting, preparing himself, working to take his weight down a few kilos, which is very difficult to handle at this age,” said Stimac who has been given the target of reaching Asian Cup quarterfinals if he wants to continue at the helm beyond that tournament.

“But when it was most needed, he was there for his club, helping them, and taking them to the finals. He scored the most decisive goals.”

With 10 months to go for the Asian Cup, the 106-ranked Blue Tigers will play their first international match since September when they take on higher ranked Kyrgyz Republic (94) and Myanmar (159) in the international tournament in Imphal. India drew 1-1 against Singapore and capped a 0-3 loss to Vietnam in their last international matches.

Along with Chhetri, the Indian team has also ageing stars in central-defender Sandesh Jhingan and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Stimac is well aware of the likely change in the core group of players in the near future.

“We need to understand that some of them are of a certain age now. It’s difficult to say, but goodbyes need to come sometime,” the 1998 World Cup bronze medallist Croatian said.

“Along with him (Chhetri), Sandesh (Jhingan) and Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu) are the core strength of our team. I’ve never hidden that. I was never running away from the truth.

“They are free guys, with great characters, strong mindsets and a good mentality, which is a basic platform for us to build the team around. But of course, we need to keep their age in mind. Gurpreet and Sandesh may be there for four, or five years,” he added.

LargesteverIndiancontingentgearsupforWorldTransplantGames

NEW

DELHI, MAR 15

(IANS): The highest-ever Indian contingent of 30 athletes is all geared up for the World Transplant Games to be held in Perth, Australia from April 15 to 21.

ORGAN India, the Organ Receiving & Giving Awareness Network (ORGAN) India, on Wednesday in a press conference revealed the names of the players, who will be representing India at the World Transplant Games.

The contingent features Karhun Nanda, Captain, India, Balveer Singh, badminton player, and World Transplant Games medallist; Dharmendra Soti, badminton player and World Transplant Games medallist, Digvijay Singh Gujral, squash player and World Transplant Games medallist.

Apart from players, the conference also had industry veterans and philanthropists among speakers including Anika Parashar, Founder Chairperson, ORGAN India; Kunti Jhaveri, Managing Trustee, Dinesh Vyas Public Charitable Trust; Ronjan Sodhi, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, Mentor, Manav Rachna Sports Science Centre, Priti Agarwal, Director, Geekay Winding; Dr N C Wadhwa (IAS Retd.), Director General, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions.

“I wish all the best to every athlete participat

OffICe Of THe

Satakha Range StudentS’ union (SRSu) FELICITATION ing at World Transplant Games 2023, in Australia. Since I was trained in Australia and had an Australian coach, I want the entire team to totally enjoy fish and chips there as this was something I was fed before I became No.1.The team will rock and bring laurels for the country. All the best,” said Sodhi, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Indian Double trap shooter, Mentor in Manav Rachna Sports Science Centre.

Anika Parashar, Founder Chairperson, ORGAN India was elated to share about the growth from sending 2-3 athletes to 30 athletes.

“As a country we never took pride in taking our athletes to these gam es, competing in them. There’s

Thanksgiving Service

Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer, Hon’ble MLA of 2 Dimapur II AC is hosting a thanksgiving service at Sakus Mission College Auditorium, Landmark Colony on March 17, 2 PM.

All well wishers and party workers are cordially invited to attend the service. db-339/23

Congratulatory Notes

more awareness built about Paralympics, but for World Transplant games still, there is no awareness of it and whichever transplanted patients felt like they’ve got the talent to be able to compete, decided to go and they went on their own. But to be able to put the entire team together, you needed an organization. So that’s when we step in the year,” an elated Anika told IANS.

DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): As part of outreach initiatives to promote sports and adventure amongst the students, Assam Rifles at Ghaspani under the aegis of HQ 6 Sect AR/HQ IGAR(N) participated in the inaugural ceremony of the 16th annual sports meet of Highland Hall

Higher Secondary School, Naga United village under Chumoukedima district on March 15.

According to PRO defence, speaking on the ceremony as chief guest, the Assam Rifles Company Commander motivated the students to proactively participate in the sports meet league duly emphasising the significance of sportsmanship and also excel in co-curricular activities. He also declared the annual sports meet open. The event was attended by around 700 students and 25 school staffs. The event concluded with the Assam Rifles distributing sports items to the students.

Klopp puts faith in Liverpool’s ‘one percent’ Champions League hope

MADRID, MAR 15 (IANS): Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said his side have just a ‘one percent’ chance of reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter finals, but insisted they would give everything to cause an upset against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Liverpool travel to Madrid needing to make up for their 5-2 defeat in the first leg at Anfield. Speaking in his pre-game press conference, Klopp admitted that “nobody believes” in his side’s chance of overcoming the deficit, but added that “after Anfield I said that Madrid was going to be in the quarterfinals and now I think we have to play. Even if there is only a one percent option, I would like to try.” “It will be unlikely, but at the same time possible. If we are capable of being negatively surprised by horrible nights, we should also be able to do it positively by some spectacular ones,” said the Liverpool coach.

“We’re going to try to beat them,” insisted Klopp, who said that tactically his side had “only to correct the counterattacks.”

“We have to be very active. We can’t think of winning without defending at an extremely high level. We assume that we will have to take risks, but hopefully we can avoid their counterattacks,” he continued.

OFFICE OF THE LOTHA EZONMONTSü RüI EKHüNG

WOKHA: NAGALAND

Felicitation

The Lotha Ezonmontsü Rüi Ekhüng is pleased to felicitate and extend heartiest congratulations to Mr. Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe from 38- Wokha A/C who has been elected to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in the recently concluded General Election, 2023.

The Ekhüng also extends our deep appreciation and gratitude to the electorates of the constituency for electing the dynamic and energetic leader.

The Ekhüng wishes him success and good health as he pledges his new duties and responsibilities for the betterment of Nagas as a whole and Lothas in particular. May the good Lord continue to guide him in his future endeavors.

(Dr. K TSeMOMO HUMTSOe) (BICHAMO SHITIRI) Chairman General Secretary Lotha Ezonmontsü Rüi Ekhüng Lotha Ezonmontsü Rüi Ekhüng

With immense pride and joy, The Satakha Range Students’ Union would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Shri. G Kaito Aye for being elected in the recently concluded 14th Legislative Assembly Election and inducted as minister for Roads and Bridges.

The Union wishes him good health and profound wisdom in his endeavours to serve the people.

Mughaka K. Zhimo Tokito K. Zhimomi President (SRSU) General Secretary (SRSU)

Felicitation

THE DIMAPUR RIPHYIM ELOE EKHUNG CONVEY OUR HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO SHRI. YANTHUNGO PATTON FROM 37 A/C FOR BEING ELECTED TO THE 14th NAGALAND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CONSECUTIVELY FOR THE FOURTH TIME.

THE EKHUNG FURTHER EXTENDS OUR PRAYERS AND WISHES THAT OUR ALMIGHTY GOD CONTINUES TO BLESS HIM WITH A HEALTHY AND A LONG LIVE TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE WITH GREAT EFFICIENCY.

Chanbeni Patton Merilo Patton President, DREE Secretary, DREE Dimapur, Nagaland Dimapur, Nagaland dp-1119/23

Hekani Jakhalu Shri. Zhaleo Rio

Naga Council Dimapur would like to congratulate, Shri. H. Tovihoto Ayemi, Shri. Moatoshi Longkumer, Smt. Hekani Jakhalu, Shri. Zhaleo Rio and Shri. Jacob Zhimomi for their victory in the recently concluded election to 14 th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. While congratulating, the Council pray to Almighty God to grant them good health and wisdom in their concerted will for developments and peace in our state.

Shri. Jacob Zhimomi

(LK. P ETER ANAL) (ETSUNGMOMO KIKON) General Secretary President