06 March,2011 10:36 AM IST | | Vivek Ajinkya
Spanish club Racing Santander's Indian owner Ahsan Ali Syed plans to start a football academy to help nurture youth soccer in India. He is also optimistic that Sunil Chettri, who has been given a trial by the club, becomes a Racing player
Spanish football club Racing Club de Santander's Indian owner, business tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed, tellsu00a0 Sunday MiD DAY all about his love for the sport and his motherland. The 39-year-old, founder of Bahrain-based company Western Gulf Advisory, hopes to see an India footballer in Racing colours soon and reveals his desire to own an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in the future.
Excerpts from the interview:
Ahsan Ali Syed waves to fans before a Spanish league match. PIC/AFP
We know you have a passion for football, but how did the inclination towards the sport begin? Which other sports do you take interest in?
I have always had a consuming interest in sports, even when I was young. Today, my interests are very varied. I own stables and stud operations in Bahrain. I am looking to expand these into Europe in the near future.
I have immediate plans for motor sports where I am currently finalizing entry into Formula Two, Formula Three and Formula Renault. I will make announcements on these teams in the near future. Beyond that, if the opportunity occurs I would certainly invest in Formula 1, and of course closer to home one of my dreams would be to own an IPL franchise. Time will tell if all can be realised.
Now with Indians owning football clubs abroad, does it imply that there will be more opportunities for Indian talent abroad?
I would be immensely proud if I could provide an opportunity for Indian talent to play at Real Racing Club de Santander.
I am sure the Rao familyu00a0 would say the same regarding their team in the English Premier League, Blackburn Rovers.
Have you offered contracts to any Indian player or staff?
Not yet. But hopefully it will happen in the future. We will closely monitor the development of existing and new talent in India.
It is my belief that this will one day lead to an Indian footballer playing for Real Racing Club de Santander.
India striker Sunil Chettri is being linked with your club. Can you throw some light on the developments of that transfer?
Yes, he has entered into a trial. I hope he will succeed. But final playing staff decisions I leave to the professionals who run and coach Real Racing Club de Santander.
Will you be starting any youth academies or holding training camps in India, so that young players get a platform to showcase their talent?
I believe talented Indian players will achieve success in Europe in the future.
I do plan to start an academy in India and to support and nurture youth soccer to the best of my
ability.
Tell us about your experiences in India? And how you remember the country?
India is in my heart, body and soul. Therefore, my love for India travels with me wherever I go. I suppose you could say that as India is always on my mind there is nothing I can forget about my country.
Your company's business practices have come under criticism in the Australian press. Your comment?
I am strongly resisting efforts by certain parties to extort from me and my companies. We issued a global media statement in this regard on March 3.
I have received many expressions of support from my clients worldwide, for which I am grateful. I am currently discussing legal strategy with my counsel.
