By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,
AIFF Media Team

DHAKA: At an era when most Football players prefer to look west towards Europe to ply their trade in Club Football abroad, there are quite a handful of players from the SAFF region who have opted to migrate to play Club Football in their neighbouring Country, India.

Chencho Parop Gyeltshen, nicknamed the Bhutanese Ronaldo for his deft skills, tops that list.

Currently doing national duty for his native country Bhutan in the ongoing SAFF Suzuki Cup in Dhaka, CG7 mentions that the current infrastructure of Indian Football tempted him a lot.

"Although I got offers from Asian countries like Malaysia, Bangladesh, Maldives and also from some European clubs, I felt India has one of the best football facilities in terms of infrastructure. So I chose India. The importance dished out to Footballers is something great,” he stated.

Chenco began his Indian sojourn with a stint in Minerva Punjab FC and played a stellar role in the Club emerging champions in the Hero I-League in his first year itself.

The shy forward who has quite a vast legion of fans back in his country narrated that the Hero Indian Super League is extremely popular in Bhutan and his fans demanded that he shifted base to an ISL club.

"The Indian Super League is very popular in my home country Bhutan. It’s followed very closely and the fans get to watch live telecast of every match. My fans back home wanted to see me in action in every match and demanded that I signed for an ISL Club. But I am always looking forward to play in the European leagues,” he smiled.

The 22-year old went gaga lavishing huge praise on the Indian National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri, his teammate at JSW Bengaluru FC.

“Sunil is passionate. His commitment to the game inspires others. He spreads out the positive energy down the spine of the team,” he said in one breath.

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“Football is not just a game for the Indian players. It’s their life. That’s a major reason the complexion of Indian Football has changed,” he echoed.