Where others fantasise, Raunaq Chodankar makes it possible

All those who nurture the dream of playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard or Fernando Torres in the English Premier League, should have the know how to go about it. Eighteen-year-old Raunaq Chodankar is a case in point.

Raunaq, wanted to become a professional footballer, is steadily realising his dream. Aware of the little scope in the city, at the age of 16, Raunaq moved to UK for professional coaching.

With his talent and family support, Raunaq started a stint with coaches in London. It didn’t take much time to find a place in a non-league side called Bishop’s Strotford Swifts.

And the professional English set-up worked wonders for Raunaq. “My game was recognised by talent scouts and I was invited for a trial at Southend United, a League One club,” Raunaq said.

“Southend’s youth development coach Ricky Duncan asked my coach to let me do the hard work for another two months,” said Raunaq. He was resolute and continued his quest. Like true professionals, Southend offered Raunaq the opportunity of training with their youth and the first team for a year.

Still, it wasn’t a cakewalk thereafter. Raunaq had to hear jibes and sarcastic remarks for being an Indian. “I was told to go back and play cricket,” he recollected. In fact, playing as a winger and sometimes a second striker, Raunaq wasn’t fed with the ball for the first two months.

But nothing could stop him. Southend United eventually selected Raunaq to go for a training programme through students’ exchange in Germany with FC St Pauli, German Bundeliga 2 side.
His one-year stay with Southend ends in July and chances are bright that Southend may hand him a professional contract.

“My aim is to make the cut in a Premier League team and I am taking the right steps,” said a beaming Raunaq, who will return to London on Friday.