VIDEO - Times Now: Arata set to become first PIO to play for India

Japanese-born Izumi Arata, who got Indian citizenship last year, is the first Player of Indian Origin to have made it into the squad of the Indian senior national football team. Here the report from Times Now!

VIDEO - IBN: Arata set to become first PIO to play for India

Japanese-born Izumi Arata, who got Indian citizenship last year, is the first Player of Indian Origin to have made it into the squad of the Indian senior national football team. Here the report from CNN-IBN!

PIO Izumi Arata welcomed with open arms in his new Home named Team India!

An outsider till the other day, 'Player of Indian Origin' and now an Indian passport holder Izumi Arata is presently an integral part of the Indian Senior National squad. From the moment he stepped into the National Camp in Kochi, he was welcomed with open arms by his 'colleagues', a gesture which he admits has made him 'very comfortable indeed'. In a freewheeling chat to AIFF Media, Arata spoke at length about his new 'responsibility', his 'new Home', the significance of the call-up, the National squad and much more.


What was the reaction when you stepped into the National Camp?

I was given a warm welcome by all. 'Welcome to the Team, Brother', was the general sentiment. I know everyone and have been fortunate to play with some of them in various club teams. But the National squad is something different. Right now, they are my colleagues and have made me very comfortable indeed. I thank them for that!

And it’s not just the players. I need to thank Coach and other members of the support staff for their cooperation. This is my new Home.


How is the National Team different from a club team?

Very different! It's all about the atmosphere. In a club, you will find that sometimes there isn't much communication, for example, between 19-year olds and foreign recruits and maybe, even star players. It happens all over the World.

But the National squad is where you play for a different cause. It comprises of mature footballers and the focus is something else.


Can you elaborate?

It's about the responsibility and professionalism and environment. You need to spread the right kind of message as you are representing the Nation. While in a club, allegiance of every fan stay different. But they all look up to you when you wear the National logo. When you win or lose, the entire country shares your emotions which is not the case in a club as you may always have a fan having a different emotion than you even if you win or lose, simple because he supports another club.


What was your experience in the first day of practice?

We have a recovery session as we had played the earlier day. Later, we had an interaction with local blind footballers and it was an entirely different experience. It was heartening to know they knew the names of everyone. We mingled with them and even played blindfolded. Reaching out to all stays the aim and we spread the right kind of message. There are additional duties off the pitch too. That's why the National Team is something which all players stay desperate to play for.


What do you feel about the match against Palestine?

This is an important match for us. The Coach is stressing on match videos a lot and explaining what he wants from us. Just today morning, he took me and other new joinees (Vineeth, Lalkamal, Gurjinder, Shouvik and Sandip Nandy) to the tactic board and taught us at length some integral points. We also had to sing the National Anthem during breakfast. It gives you a sense of belonging.

If I get a chance to play on 6th, I will give my best and stick to the instructions. Palestine are a tough team but we are ready.


What does this call-up mean for you?

To be honest, I have been dreaming about it right from the moment I got my Indian passport. I appreciate the call-up and thank Coach for keeping his faith on me.

I know there are many who believe I am not an Indian as I don't originally hail from the country. My mom stays a Japanese while my dad is an Indian. But all of that doesn't perturb me at all. I know I am an Indian at heart and it's the end of the story.

India is a huge country and the fact that I am in the squad of 23 means a lot to me. I'm proud of the blue kits which have been handed over to me. I have earned them.


You had a valid Japanese passport. What prompted you to be an Indian citizen?

Applying for an Indian citizenship was the biggest decision in my life. There were a lot of things which went through my mind and I could have never taken this decision alone. I spoke to a lot of people to whom I am indebted in my life – my teachers, friends and my family. All of them understood and appreciated the fact that it was my life and I needed to take a decision keeping my career and future in mind.


Do you feel this will prompt more PIOs to opt to play for India?

The dual passport rule has robbed India of many a quality big players. There are a lot of PIOs playing all over the World who are eager enough to don the India Blue. If my shift makes them rethink, let it be so. If they shift over to India, it will help us a great deal for sure.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

PIO Indy Aujla signs for Non-League Hinckley United FC

24 old British born footballer of Indian origin Inderjeet Singh Aujla, better known as Indy Aujla, has signed a contract with English Blue Square Bet North side Hinckley United FC for the upcoming season. Indy joins the sixth division side after having after having spend time in pre-season with Danish second division outfit FC Vestsjælland, Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle and non-League Harrogate Town.

Indy who can play as a full-back, wing-back and defensive midfielder at his former club Royal Racing FC Montegnee, a Belgian fourth division outfit, had last season been named as the interim head coach until the end of the season with quite a number of matches to go.

Royal Racing FC Montegnee wanted to keep Indy, but he wanted to return to England or Scotland to try his luck back home on British soil.

Indy has come through the youth development system at Bradford City AFC, even was awarded the 'Young Player of the Year' award in his final year as an apprentice, but he wasn't offered a contract and had to move on thereafter.

Thereafter Indy faced what many British Asian footballers face who try to make a career in the professional English Football League system as they move in and move out. After leaving Bradford City Indy played for League Two's Chester City, Non-League side Guiseley FC, then Indy spend two years in the United States playing for CCBC Essex in Baltimore under a Soccer Scholarship program before returning to play for Garforth Town, another Non-League side. His last stop was Belgian fourth division outfit Royal Racing FC Montegnee.

PIO Harmeet Singh joins Feyenoord Rotterdam

Norwegian 'Player of Indian origin' Harmeet Singh has signed with Dutch side Feyenoord Rotterdam for an undisclosed transfer fee of around 400,000 Euros from Norwegian side Vålerenga Oslo. Harmeet has signed a two year contract with the option of a further two years.

"It feels very good to be a Feyenoord player, I needed this step in my career," said Singh, who joins the 2011/12 Eredivisie runners-up as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. "Feyenoord is a big club where good players like Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Roy Makaay have played. I hope to help Feyenoord have just as a good year as the last one. I look forward to playing in the Champions League, which will be a new experience for me."

Midfielder Harmeet Singh was born on November 12, 1990 in the Norwegian capital Oslo and after starting his career in the Oslo Youth Multi Sports Club Furuset IF he joined Vålerenga's Youth team.

Besides playing for Vålerenga's youth teams and then making it as a professional Harmeet has been a regular in the Norwegian youth teams from Under-15 over U-16, U17, U-18, U-19 until U-21s. Harmeet had made his full international debut for Norway earlier this year and is seen as a bright prospect, who had been linked with transfers to other clubs in the Netherlands, Germany, etc over the summer.

Are PIOs for Team India back on the AIFF Agenda?

One of the topics raised on Thursday at the India workshop at Soccerex's European Forum in Manchester was the issue of Players of Indian Origin representing India in international football. To be precise the topic was raised by London-based players agent Yogesh Joshee in connection with Michael Chopra's interest to represent India.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das gave an interesting, but somewhat surprising answer. He said, "We need to look into it. I ask FICCI to take-up the matter with the Government of India!"

Many laughed then they didn't think the answer was serious, but Kushal Das reiterated the point and from an All India Football Federation standpoint it does make sense then the ruling by the Government of India that only Indian nationals can represent India in sports not only affects the AIFF but possibly all other sports.

Here a general body like FICCI (Federation of Industrial Chambers of Commerce and Industry) could intervene with the support and inputs from the sports federations.

In this connection FICCI representative Rajpal Singh make a wrong statement while on stage saying that India does allows PIOs and OCIs to represent the country though he did say that FICCI would take-up the matter internally and then with the government of India.

One hopes that FICCI and the AIFF treat the matter seriously and lobby with the government to change such a ridiculous rule, which only harms Indian sports rather then anybody else.

PIO Shawn Singh signs for Sporting Kansas City

22 year old Shawn Bijan Singh, a Player of Indian Origin, has been signed by MLS side Sporting Kansas City as a 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft pick. After Sunil Chhetri's stint with the club in 2010 Shawn becomes the second Indian origin player at Sporting KC.

Born in Californian Bakersfield, Shawn Singh had been with the College team of the UCLA Bruins since 2008, playing a total of 56 matches and contributing 10 assists. Singh was also named second-team All-Pac-10 in 2010 and honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2011.

"I'm very excited to be a part of Sporting Kansas City," Singh said. "I have nothing but the best to say about the entire coaching staff and organization. I enjoy the style of soccer that is played here and I look forward to a great season with the club."

The 175 cms tall Shawn Singh, mainly a left-back who can also play as a right-back, has been training with Sporting KC for a few weeks and played three friendlies for the club before they signed him. If Shawn will make the first team or rather get playing time in the reserve team will have to be seen.


Here some footage of Shaun Singh at UCLA

PIO Luciano Narsingh gets Oranje call-up!

Player of Indian Origin winger Luciano Narsingh (21), who is of Indian-Surinamese origin, has gotten his first-ever call-up to the Dutch national team by head coach Bert van Marwijk for the match against England on February 29.

But the attacking winger, who can also play as a striker, will have to fight for a place against star players like Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt.

Luciano started his career like his elder brother Furdjel Narsingh at the AFC Ajax Amsterdam Youth Academy, but he was released in the summer of 2008 as he was found not good enough by the Ajax management to succeed in the first team.

Luciano moved on to Eredivisie rivals SC Heerenveen and struggled there for the first couple of seasons before making his breakthrough last season, where he was the joint top assist alongside Christian Eriksen of Ajax Amsterdam.

This season Luciano has continued with his good performances and that has earned him a call-up to the Oranjes after having represented the Dutch in their youth teams.

Luciano won't be the first player of Indian-Surinamese origin to play for the Dutch. Aron Winter was the first to represent the Netherlands in the 1980s and there have been numerous players in the Ajax Youth system of Indian origin over the years.

It is another success story for PIOs! Another one is set to play for an European national team after the likes of Vikash Dhorasoo (France), Thomas Pereira (Norway), Oscar Sonejee (Andorra) and recently discovered Neil Taylor (Wales).

PS: Thanks Johann for the info!!!

PIO Netan Sansara signs contract in Cyprus

21 year old Player of Indian origin Netan Nico Sansara has joined Cypriot second division side PAEEK FC as the first-ever British Asian footballer to play on the island of Cyprus.

The former England Under-19 international is a strong and pacy left-back who can also play as a central defender. Born in Walsall, in the West Midlands, Sansara's grandfather was born in India, making Sansara eligible to represent India at international level, but due to the fact of still holding a British passport Netan is not eligible for India.

Netan had his first break in professional football with his home town club Walsall FC, for whom he made 40 appearances in League One. During this time, his performances culminated in him representing England at U-18 and U-19 level, making his debut against Holland at Yeovil Town's Huish Park.

After leaving Walsall FC, Netan played for Dundee FC (Scotland) and non-league club Corby Town, before making his move to Cyprus, marking an exciting new chapter in his still young career.

Upon signing for PAEEK, Netan stated his delight at the prospect of playing in Cyprus saying, "I had other offers this summer, but PAEEK is a great opportunity for me. After discussing my options with my father and my agent James Garley, I decided this is a great move for my career."

"It can be the catalyst to progress my career further. I feel fit, strong and ready to hit the ground running. We have a great opportunity to be promoted this season and I want to play a major role in making that happen," Netan added.

James Garley, Director and FA-licensed agent of Achieve, said, "This is an exciting move for Netan. He has great potential and we feel he can continue to develop whilst with PAEEK. We are proud of helping Netan to become the first British Asian player to ply his trade in Cyprus."

Netan still has a dream to one day play for India. If he can establish himself at PAEEK FC, maybe taking an Indian passport becomes an option if called for a trial with Team India.

PIO XI in the I-League?

If plans by some businessmen in the United Kingdom comes true then a team comprising of only Players of Indian Origin could come and play as a club side in the I-League in the next two to three years. Where the team could and would be based isn't known yet, but some of these rich and influential businessmen think that Indian football is not looking at the PIO angle seriously enough. And these players need a chance to showcase their talent to get picked for the Indian national team to take our football forward as per their thinking. These gentleman have come together and they are willing to push it from an idea to a project level where ground work would be done to see if such a plan would be at all feasible.

The players pool would come mainly from the British Asian football scene with a few players currently playing in lower level professional football (League One & Two) and a number of them on the fringe of the pro game at semi-professional level in the UK. PIO's from other parts of the world could also be considered for the team. These men think that a few of these boys could even play for the Indian national team and would be an asset to the Team India set-up as India tries to develop the game in the coming years.

The men behind the project have so far not communicated with the All India Football Federation nor with anyone else in India, but it surely sounds to be an interesting approach which needs to be explored. And it needs to be seen if the project sees the day of light and what authorities in India would think about such an approach. There is already a lot of scepticism on the India Under-19 team playing in the league and getting a so-called alien team involved might not be the right step for the I-League, but on the other side might be a good step for Indian football.

But first of all it needs to be seen if the project sees the light of day.
And to me the crucial question is where could such a club be based? Can such a team of PIO's create local support somewhere in India where pro football hasn't caught-up yet? Surely a difficult sell, but not impossible...