Kolkata: Three time National Football League champions East Bengal are reportedly said to be pursuing Indian U-17 star Jitendra Singh. The defender from Kolkata was seen at the club on Tuesday, who wants to pen down a contract with the Bengal lad. However, it was later confirmed that he had come to the club to sort out his passport issue.
Jitendra is one of the few players who are yet to sign a contract renewal with the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF). The governing body wants the players to sign a contract extension of three years. On signing, the players are not only entitled to receive a sum of ₹50, 000 per month for one season but will also be a part of the Delhi – based side which is set to participate in this year’s I-League.
Although Jitendra was seen leaving the club tent with few papers which are doubted to be contract papers, the details of the contract are yet uncertain. However, the 17-year-old has to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the AIFF, with whom his contract runs til December.
Indian Super League based club Atletico de Kolkata are also said to be keeping an eye on the defender along with Abhijit Sarkar and Rahim Ali, both of whom are also from Bengal. Both the players are also yet to sign an contract with the AIFF.
Money may play a big factor as the aspiring stars face a dilemma of choosing club over the national body. Clubs usually offer big money to the players and Jitendra may be inclined to sign for the club, with the connection he has with the Red and Gold brigade who had felicitated him earlier before the World Cup. But chances of game time with the clubs looks minimal for the teenage footballers whereas signing for the AIFF club will earn them automatic game time.
Mohun Bagan will not sign any U-17 footballers
Unlike arch-rivals East Bengal, Mohun Bagan will not approach or sign any U-17 footballer who played in the World Cup as such a step will not improve but decline Indian football, informed Bagan finance secretary Debashish Dutta.
The U-17 footballers should not sign for any clubs in the I-League or the ISL but play for the Federation for the next three years, which will improve them and make them better players in the future, says Debashish reported Xtratime.
Although harsh, the club is ready to undertake such steps for the betterment of Indian football and also that such a move may disappoint the huge number of fans of the club added the official.
Meanwhile the Indian U-17 stars are set to travel to Saudi Arabia for the U-19 AFC Championships qualifiers on November 4. The Indian team will leave for the tournament on October 25 and will also play a friendly match against Qatar on October 28 as a preparation for the tournament.
India has been placed in pot 4 along with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal and Syria in the qualifiers.