Anil vows to excel in I-league
In his first public appearance since joining top-flight Indian outfit Shillong Lajong Football Club (SLFC), Anil Gurung on Tuesday expressed his desire to make it to the club's starting lineup.
Gurung, who singed a three-year contract with SLFC for a fee of IRs. 6.3 million, has entered the game three times as a substitute, but is yet to score. This 23-year-old Pokhara striker plans to establish himself as one of the key players in the club in the remaining time of the ongoing season.
"I hope to be a regular at the club," said Anil, who arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday to train for SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.
Anil spoke about the possibility of more Nepali players joining the I-league. Nepali players could easily compete in the top-flight if given an opportunity, he said.
Speaking more about his experience in the I-league, Gurung said the league was quite different from what he had been playing in Nepal. Air passes are common in I-league, he said, as compared to the Nepali league. Gurung believes players in I-league act selfishly at times, which he attributes to the bonus system for goal scorers.
Bikram Thapa of goalnepal.com and Sudarshan Ranjit of Sahara Club in Pokhara -- the two persons instrumental in finalising Guraung's contract with SLFC -- spoke about the odds they had to overcome while introducing him to the club.
Gurung had just arrived in Nepal after his trial in the U.K. when the offer was made from the India side, thanks to the efforts of Saurav Rai, an ardent SLFC fan, who recommended Gurung after seeing him play at the Governor's Gold Cup.
The club gave Gurung just two days to make the decision. Upon reaching India, he was given a 14-day trail with the club. Luckily, he made a lasting impression, captialising on his short stint in England, and scored four goals in three matches.
Although the club was interested in Gurung, they initially offered just IRs. 700,000 for seven months, the reaming time in the I-league season. The offer was not inviting, said Bikram. So the next big challenge was to negotiate for the right amount.
"I spoke about a player's motivation when he is offered a minimal salary and how more pay would be a huge boost on his confidence," said Thapa. "I demanded Rs. 1.2 million instead of what was offered. The club agreed. A three-year IRs. 6.3 million contract was the outcome."
Anil Gurung's official website was launched at the same programme in the capital. Pokharacity.com is the developer of Anilgrg.com.
During the SAFF Championship in Dhaka in December, Gurung vows to bring all that he has learned abroad to best use.
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