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Bhaichung Bhutia Credits Houghton For His Achievement, Wants More International Fixtures
Indian team captain Bhaichung Bhutia was felicitated by the AIFF as planned on Tuesday for becoming the first Indian footballer to win 100 caps...
21-Oct-2009 12:14:14 AM
India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia was felicitated by the AIFF on Tuesday, after the governing body's Annual General Body Meeting. The felicitation was in honour of Bhutia completing 100 appearances for the country, becoming the first Indian footballer to do so.
Bhutia was presented with a gold coin, a silver plaque and a cheque of Rs.5,00,000 by AIFF president Praful Patel.
Bhaichung, who was accompanied by his wife Madhuri as well his parents on this special occasion, was touched by the AIFF's gesture, and was all smiles.
The India skipper said, "It's a great honour to be felicitated in front of all the officials from different states of the country. I would like to dedicate this honour to the past and present players I have played with in the past 16 years.
"I started at East Bengal at the age of 16 with a salary of Rs.4,000, and how things have changed now. I thank everyone who helped me reach so far in life."
Bhutia also attributed his achievement to current national coach Bob Houghton. For Houghton, he said, "Without him, I would not have played 100 matches, because I wanted to quit and he convinced me to stay on."
The Indian national side has been growing and improving gradually over the last four years or so, with three trophies in the last three years to show for their progress.
Bhutia echoed the same, and said, "For the last 3-4 years, India has been doing well in international competitions and we have been playing more international matches than before. We need more international matches to produce players who can play 100 matches for the country."
Meanwhile, newly elected President of the AIFF, Praful Patel described Bhutia as a national football icon and one of the greatest players the country has ever produced.
"Bhaichung, you have been the icon and one of the greatest players of India. Your commitment on the field has inspired millions of youngsters towards the game. This felicitation is a small thing and I promise that we in the AIFF will try to give more international exposure to the national team in years to come," the newly installed AIFF president said.
Hopefully, Patel will live up to his promise, and India can see many more such felicitations in the years to come.
Atishay Agarwal
Inside Goal.Com
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