Steps that count is a very good initiative
Bhaichung Bhutia
Hyderabad: Injuries and athletes are two sides of the same coin. And it comes as no surprise when players and athletes call off their careers due to injuries.
On the eve of World Arthritis Day, former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who called it time on his international football career owing to injuries in 2011, was in the city to raise awareness on knee osteoarthritis.
Bhutia joined hands with Sanofi group to promote the Steps that count initiative, which encourages patients with osteoarthritis to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Bhutia who suffered from the condition himself said, “Steps that count is a very good initiative. It is an extremely painful condition. Thankfully I contacted my doctor and he helped me overcome it.”
Dubbed the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’ for his shooting skills, Bhutia was upbeat about the upcoming Indian Super League. “I think the ISL would do a world of good for Indian football.
This is only the first edition and we already have players like Del Piero, Luis Garcia and Joan Capdevila. I think this is the best thing to have happened to Indian football in a longtime,” he said.
On cricketers buying football teams, “Dhoni and Virat are passionate about the sport. It’s not just about the money. I have played along with them and they play really good football. They follow the game keenly and one day, when I have the money, I might buy a team as well,” Bhutia said.
One interesting factor about the ISL is that cities like Delhi, Goa and Chennai which do not have a team in the I-league have teams playing in the ISL. And Bhutia sees no harm in that. “I think what is important is that football is growing. ISL is a different ball-game altogether. It’s a club-based competition,” Bhutia said.
On the team he is putting his money on Bhutia said, “Since it’s the debut season of the league, I would say every team has a chance. As I hail from Sikkim, I would want Northeast United FC and Atletico De Kolkata I spent 20 years of my life there to win the tournament.”
( Source : dc )
Next Story
