Indian goalkeeper looks forward to Wigan trial

U-22 Indian shot stopper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is eagerly awaiting his chance to shine for English Premier League side Wigan Athletic, after acquiring a week’s trial.

According to the youngster, he met John Budgie, the famed Ten Sports commentator in India, who agreed to get him into the European game.

“Actually I met John Burridge during the derby clash between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan last season. He was immediately interested in me and told me he will help. Then he also met me in Dubai, where I had gone for the national camp and yet again met me
in Oman, where he assured that he would arrange something for me.”

“Then he introduced me to Ali Al Habsi, and it was a great opportunity (training at Wigan) that he helped me get. To get a work permit, [India] need to be in the top 70, so even if it was a trial, it would not be possible for me to go there (on a permanent
basis), but as a training stint it’s a great opportunity.”

"My club East Bengal is happy. They know it is a good opportunity for me, as I shall get better training out there, which shall be helpful for me. When I go to England, I will be representing East Bengal and India.”

“Though I have not spoken to Wim Koevermans or Arthur Papas about this, Subrata spoke to me about the trip and gave me good advice, as he has had trials in Canada previously. He encouraged me to fully utilize this chance and told me about how it would be
out there.”

“I am still discovering myself as a keeper, so I don’t know what my plus points are. But I definitely know my weak points. I think I am a bit slow, so maybe quickness and with the ball on my feet, I could improve,” he said.

Although his deal with the Latics remains to be sealed, the starlet can gain bucket loads of experience from his stint in England and perhaps try his luck elsewhere on the continent.

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Posted by Shahrukh Sohail on Jul 17 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry