Nethaji owner has big plans for his club

Chennai: He is young and ambitious. And, he loves football. Meet the 27-year-old Rohit Ramesh who recently bought Nethaji SC, a Chennai Football Association first division club. Rohit is from a well-known media family and his involvement with a sport that is primarily a working class rage in Chennai has delighted the fans of the beautiful game.

There is genuine hope in the air that youngsters like the new Nethaji president can help transform the fortunes of football here.

‘The Arsenal fan from his birth’ is a man in a hurry; he wants to revolutionise football at grassroots level in his hometown before turning his attention to the national scene. Rohit’s priority now is bringing in professionalism from top to bottom at Nethaji, one of the oldest private clubs in Chennai.

Then there is the small matter of gaining promotion to the senior division league, the top tier in Chennai football. Rohit spoke to Deccan Chronicle from London. He was in the British capital to watch his beloved Arsenal play Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday. Arsenal had won all the eight matches Rohit watched at the Emirates but a defensive Chelsea forced a goalless draw to puncture the proud record.

QWhat inspired you to buy a first division club in Chennai?
My goal is to buy an English club before I turn 36. During a conversation with Andrew Conru, founder of FriendFinder.com in England, a couple of years ago, I shared my dream with him. “People don’t know you in England. Why don’t you buy a club in India?” he asked me. His suggestion made sense and here I’m as president of Nethaji.

QIs the dream of owning an English club still on?
Certainly, and the deadline of doing it before my 36th birthday is also alive.

QHave you watched a CFA league match in Chennai?
No. I’ve only watched a few sevens matches in the city.

QDo you have plans to have a new name for your club?
I had given a word to Mr T.R. Govindarajan, from whom I bought the club, that I wouldn’t change the name. The existing name is fine.

QWhat are your plans for the club?
My first priority is to get a manager and a director of football. The manager could be from abroad. Imparting scientific training is also high on my agenda.

QAre you aware of the problems football facing in Chennai? Infighting is rampant in the association, there is no marketing, little activity apart from the league, there is an acute shortage of grounds...

I know the problems to an extent. My calling card is passion. I’ve bought a club out of my love for the game. I would like all parties — clubs, Chennai and Tamil Nadu associations — to join hands for football.Do you have promotional activities in the pipeline?
I have plans to revamp the club website with videos, player portfolios and marketing initiatives. Step by step, we will strengthen our club. We are looking at developing our own ground.