Delhi Dynamos Sign Agreement With BRICS Cup, Roberto Carlos Feels Brazilians in ISL Will Help Develop Game
Delhi Dynamos FC marquee player-cum-manager Roberto Carlos says within one or two years Indian players will evolve greatly, courtesy the Indian Super League.
The Brazilians, who are competing in the Indian Super League (ISL), have come for the development of Indian football and not just to honour their contracts, Delhi Dynamos F.C. marquee player-cum-manager Roberto Carlos said on Monday. (Read more ISL stories here)
The Brazilian great was speaking on the sidleines of an agreement between the ISL franchise and BRICS Football Cup. The tournament is an under-17 competition that will be played between the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations. The first edition will be played in India in April, 2016. The tournament will take place once every year.
Carlos said he did follow the ISL last year and could see the talent in the Indian players. However, he believes that the players still have to develop a lot.
"I want the Indian national football team to get the benefit out of it (ISL). I believe within one or two years Indian players will witness an evolution like never before. Our goal will be to make sure that the players play for win. You'll see the same with Delhi Dynamos this year," he said.
"There are 18, and including me, 19 players from Brazil who'll be playing in the Indian Super league. We are here for a reason, and the reason is not limited to our contract. We are here for development of football in India."
On asking the quadragenarian about how serious is his finger injury and whether he'll limit his role to coaching alone in the ISL. The otherwise shy player was quick to reply, and said, "The injury is on my hand and not on feet. I am here to play and will give my best both as a player and a coach."
President of Delhi Dynamos Prashant Agarwal also present on the occasion talking on the partnership with BRICS Football Cup said, "The partnership will not only promote better football interaction among BRICS youths but will also bring together people from different cultures."
The agreements were signed in the presence of Ambassador of Brazil in India H.E Tovar da Silva Nunes, who sees the BRICS Football Cup as "going to streets and let people know what BRICS is".
Others present in the event were Nikhil Sawhney, Chairman of ASSOCHAM National Council on Sports & Sports Infrastructure and Kushal Das, General Secretary All India Football Federation (AIFF).