India & Mohun Bagan defender Nirmal Chhetri launches own website

Team India and Mohun Bagan AC defender Nirmal Chettri has launched his own, personal website under www.nirmalchettri03.com with the latest news and updates about Nirmal available io his website, which will allow him to interact with his fans and followers.

"I still have a long way to go for club and country and I can't do it without the support of my fans. I try and stay in touch with them on the social media and now my website will help me more in that respect," said Nirmal after the launch.

For the latest news, updates, interviews, blogs of Nirmal keep visiting www.nirmalchettri03.com


About Nirmal Chettri

After the humble beginnings in Sikkim, Nirmal Chettri showed glimpses of his talent at national level following his move to Air India and then a four-year spell at East Bengal saw him establish into one of India's best defenders. Besides the I-League, Nirmal won almost every trophy in Indian football with East Bengal and also played in the AFC Cup. Now at Mohun Bagan, he will be aiming to go one better. Despite his tender age, Nirmal is a gentleman off the pitch too, which is evident from his conduct on the social media. His gesture of holding camps for young footballers in his state of Sikkim shows that despite the fame and money he hasn't forgotten his roots.


Factfile

Date of Birth (October 21, 1990)

International
International debut: Against Bhutan in 2011 SAFF Cup
International Caps: 7
Goals: 0
Honours: 2011 SAFF Cup, 2012 Nehru Cup
Represented India at U-17, U-19 and U-23 levels
Won 2009 SAFF Cup with India U-23

Club Career
Air India (2006 - 2008); East Bengal Club (2008 - 2012); Mohun Bagan AC (2012 - )
Honours (with East Bengal): Federation Cup (2009-10; 2010-11); Calcutta Football League (2009-10, 2010-11); IFA Shield (2010-11); Super Cup (2010-11); I-League Runner-Up (2009-10, 2010-11)

PHOTOs: Indian Voting for FIFA/FIFPro World XI!

Indian footballers and foreigners playing professionally in India registered with the Football Players Association of India (FPAI) have started to cast their votes for the FIFA FIFPro World XI! Here some snaps of Baichung Bhutia reading about the voting procedure besides Gouramangi Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Syed Rahim Nabi and Tolgay Ozbey casting their votes.

Interview with Nirmal Chettri (India/Mohun Bagan)

Defender Nirmal Chettri has had a long journey from Sikkim to the Kolkata Maidans and this summer he makes the switch from East Bengal Club to Mohun Bagan AC. A big transfer in Kolkata and also for Nirmal, but with Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey also leaving the red-and-gold to join the green-and-maroon and that under controversial circumstances for Nirmal it has been a rather quite move. I caught-up with him for an interview...


Last season you finally made it into the senior Indian national team. We now have a new coach in Wim Koevermans. Whats your aim with Team India - just retain your place in the squad or regularly play in the first eleven?

After being for four years in the India probables squad for many camps that was the day I'll never forget in my life, my dream came true playing for India which I only used to dream about in my childhood!

I think its hard to move on from the loss of the old coach and then to work with the new coach you've got to do everything possible. My first aim is to be in the squad and then later to retain my regular place in the playing eleven.

I'm looking forward to work with our new coach Wim Koevermans and I would like to be part in every tournament India plays at international level.


After four years at East Bengal you are making the transfer to archrivals Mohun Bagan AC. Many red-and-gold fans are asking, why the switch? Are you feeling any added pressure ahead of the new season playing for the green-and-maroon?

Now I only can think about those days, its past now...

I think I got everything from the Red-&-Gold jersey. I am very grateful to some of the seniors players like Alvito and Uga who has been an inspiration to me. I thank the coaching staff and the team management for the support and believe they gave me.

Switching over to Mohun Bagan was like a dream of playing for two big clubs in India coming true for me. I just waited for the chance to play them. I got offers from them in two consecutive seasons but being with a contract at East Bengal I couldn't have held talks but now I'm officially a Sabuj-Maroon.

I depart as a friend and hope the supporters of East Bengal will always remember me for my hard work and my loyal service to club for the four years!

I know that there will be little extra pressure for me but I'll keep my head and soul calm. They signed me because I have proved myself at every level. So I'm ready to deliver good results for my new club.


United Sikkim FC from your home state will be making its debut in the I-League. What feelings do you have about this fact as a Sikkimese?

I am very happy for my idol Baichung Bhutia! It was not only his dream but mine also to see a team from Sikkim amongst the Elite in the I-League. It was a dream come true for the people of Sikkim. Now they'll get the chance to see the best teams from across India.

I hope United Sikkim FC will be like Shillong Lajong FC of Indian football and specially I'm waiting to play against them in Gangtok!

I hope they'll come above the expectations of the people and remain in the I-League for a long time!!!


You yourself are trying to do something for youth development in your state, Sikkim. Please do tell us more about it?

That has been the routine for me when I come home. Last year also I focused on the grassroot levels of villages. This year almost 50 local children in the age group of 9 - 20 years joined in the three days Summer Football Awareness Training Camp in my hometown (Melli). I'm doing it free of cost and its specially for the kids to raise awareness regarding injuries on the field. I'm just sharing it through my experience.

For me it's an amazing feeling to work with them for the short period.

And they are gradually becoming better as per their graphs comparing to last year.


I wish you all the best for the new season!

Thanks a lot Arunava!!!

Hill All Stars vs Share FC on June 2 in Kalimpong

The Hill All Stars take on local side Share FC on June 2 at the Mela Ground in Kalimpong (District of Darjeeling) to raise funds for Share FC. The Hill All Stars will see I-league stars like Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan taking part in the match. The match will kick-off at 14.00 IST on Saturday, June 2.

The organisers say they want to use the funds generated from the match for the development of football in the Hills, especially for the development of local Kalimpong club Share FC, which was formed only in May 2010 and a month back created history for football in the Hills by offered legal contracts to all its 26 players as the first club in the region.

The organisers of the match are promoting the game in a big way with hoarding and posters all over Kalimpong town to get as many fans to come to the game as possible with local radio station Red FM helping in the promotion of the match.

The Hill All Stars team will feature players like Nirmal Chettri (India/Mohun Bagan), Sanju Pradhan (Captain, East Bengal), Nim Tshering Lepcha (Captain, United Sikkim FC), Bijendra Rai (India Juniors/Pailan Arrows), Ashish Chettri (India U-16) and host of other professional footballers from the Hills.

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia has also given his full support for the match and has donated his India and United Sikkim FC Jerseys for auction. Sanju Pradhan and Nirmal Chetri will also do the same and the organisers hope to raise funds from the auctions of these jersey's.