Picture Credit: Twitter
The Indian football team is at its peak, as they recently won the SAFF Championship defeating Kuwait in the final on penalties. The team was also allowed to participate in the Asian Games, after it was initially reported that India wouldn’t be participating. Amidst all this, Sunil Chhetri has stated that he will be requesting coach Igor Stimac to exempt him from travelling for the King’s Cup, which is set to be held in Thailand.
Also Read: AIFF announces India men's football squad for 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou
This occurred after it was discovered that the dates were close to wife Sonam Chhetri's due date for delivery. The captain made his wife's pregnancy known in the most impressive manner. When he beat Vanuatu and scored the winning goal, he tucked the ball inside his jersey as a tribute to his wife. In order to alert supporters about the pregnancy, the celebration has become more common during football games all across the world.
"I will go to the Asian Games. But I'm really looking forward to being a father. I will request coach not to include me in King’s Cup because it's very close to the delivery date. I hope nobody takes it as my excuse for not playing for country," stated the skipper of the Blue Tigers.
The 2023 edition will be the 49th one in the King's Cup, the annual international men's football tournament organised by the Football Association of Thailand. All matches will be held at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from September 7-10.
The 22-member Asian Games squad was recently announced by the association. Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, and keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu were selected as the senior players. The other 19 players are from the under-23 age category, and will be led by Sunil Chhetri and coach Igor Stimac. The Asian Games 2023 are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China, from September 23 to October 8.
