I-League Media Team

NEW DELHI: Australian gaffer Arthur Papas believes that youth are the way forward for a Club to achieve success, and his Club Dempo SC have done exactly that by bringing in several youngsters as they look forward to the upcoming season.

While the pre-season training undergoes for the three-time I-League winners, Papas confirms that the youngsters will step up their performance this season, and they will get their opportunity to shine.

“I think we maintained 40 percent of the playing group and we brought in many talented younger players who, I think, you’ll see a lot more than you did last season,” Arthur was quoted as saying.

“All the young players have to understand that they must raise the bar and not only be happy to be at Dempo but be willing to push very senior players out of the way if they are going to play.”

Let’s look into some of these youngsters:

Holicharan Narzary

Position – Striker

Date of birth – May 10, 1994

Place of birth – Assam, India

Overview – Holicharan is regarded as one of the emerging strikers of the country. He is known for his darting runs inside the enemy territory. Arthur believes that due to the foreign competition, it is not as easy for Indian forwards to establish their careers in the same way as players in other positions can.

However, he is a huge believer in the talent that Holicharan possesses.

Coach speak – “He is technically proficient with both feet, has a real turn of pace and his finishing  is as good as anyone within our squad. Until he becomes physically more robust we will  continue to rotate him across the front positions to develop his all round game.”

Nickson Castanha

Position – Midfielder

Date of birth – July 5, 1994

Place of birth - Goa, India

Overview – According to the Club, Nickson possesses lightning speed and is more of an old fashioned winger where he prefers playing very wide and beating his player 1 v 1. His final ball has improved tremendously over the past 12 months and it is this quality that excites Arthur.

Coach speak – “Another of our young Goan players, Nickson has come back this pre-season in a much better condition than the last and is now at a stage where he can begin to push for an I-League position if he can maintain his performances consistently.”

Prabir Das

Position – Midfielder

Date of birth – December 20, 1993

Place of birth – West Bengal, india

Overview - Prabir began his football career with Pailan Arrows FC. Nippy and muscular, Prabir likes to push up the flanks and deliver crosses, and can be a real threat to the opposition during set pieces. He has an infectious character and a capacity to push himself to the maximum.

Coach speak - “Prabir is a versatile young player who over the course of two seasons has been converted into a very attacking minded right full-back. He is still developing his trade but has the necessary tools to forge a long career in the I-League.”

Narayan Das 

Position – Left full-back

Date of birth – September 25, 1993

Place of birth – Jharkhand, india

Overview – Narayan is a gifted wingback who is known to quickly adapt to situations. His strengths are his passing, crossing and his defensive anticipation. He made his senior team debut for the Indian National Team against Nepal in 2013.

Coach speak - “Although he is one of the youngest players in the squad, he is on the way to becoming an established Indian international. He has a good character and gives 100% commitment on the field.”

Shallum Pires

Position – Defender

Date of birth – August 24, 1992

Place of birth – Goa, india

Overview – Shallum is  comfortable playing anywhere across the defensive line or as a defensive midfielder. He is fearless in his approach and has shown great character and strength to return to the first team training following his knee injury last season.

Coach speak –  “Shallum will hopefully go on to establish himself this season within the I-League.”