The time is gone, the song is over – The moment has passed as Sunil Chhetri bids adieu to International football. The Leader, the Legend, played his final game for the country in the India vs Kuwait clash for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 2. After the game, be it the Indian Army for the Kolkata giants, all felicitated the departing skipper for his glorious journey of 19 years.
Indian Army Felicitates Sunil Chhetri
The Eastern command of the Indian Army honoured the departing captain of the Indian football team. Post-match the felicitation ceremony began with the Army drum rolls and it finally concluded with the bagpipers playing the famous Scottish song – Auld Lang Syne/
Lt. Gen. Tiwari elucidated the retiring Indian legend’s long relationship with the Army stating, “Sunil has always embodied the values of a professional soldier, fighting for his country till the very end and against all odds.
Athletes like him are a role-model for the youth of this country and the Indian Army is proud of its long association with such a legend of football. Son of an Army man, Sunil has made the entire Army fraternity proud with his attitude, commitment and dedication in a long and memorable career. We wish him a most fulfilling life after he is done playing the game.”
Kolkata Giants honour Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri has played for both the Kolkata giants. He began his career with Mohun Bagan back in 2002, having spent 3 years with the Mariners. He returned to Kolkata back in 2008, this time with East Bengal. However, his stay with the Red and Gold lasted for a season before he switched sides to Dempo SC.
Naturally after the match, both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal felicitated Sunil. The two clubs were joined by fellow Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC.
And not just the Kolkata clubs, even the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee sent her best wishes to the skipper.
The Army had planned and celebrated the whole occasion in a manner befitting a legend. A combined pipe band of 14th and 15th Battalions of the Bihar regiment of Indian Army played the welcome tribute segment to Sunil Chhetri. The 2.5min tune was composed by Bir Nepali. Then when Sunil finally exited the stadium, he was escorted out by two bagpipers playing a tune by Auld Lang Syne.
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