Arata Izumi (right) interacts with a blind footballer during his first practice session with the Indian team in Kochi.

An ‘outsider’ till the other day, Arata Izumi is now an integral part of the Indian senior national football team. From the moment he stepped into the national camp in Kochi, he was welcomed by his colleagues, a gesture which he admits has made him “very comfortable indeed.”

Arata spoke at length about his new responsibility, his new home, the significance of the call-up, and much else. Excerpts
On his joining the national camp:
I was given a warm welcome by all. I know everyone and have been fortunate to play with some of them in various club teams. But the national squad is something different. Right now, they are my colleagues and have made me very comfortable indeed. I thank them for that. And it’s not just the players. I need to thank coach and other members of the support staff for their cooperation. This is my new home.
On the difference between the national team and a club:
Very different! It’s all about the atmosphere. In a club, you will find that sometimes there isn’t much communication, for example, between 19-year olds and foreign recruits and maybe, even star players. It happens all over the world. But the national squad is where you play for a different cause. It comprises of mature footballers and the focus is something else.
On some more details:
It’s about the responsibility, professionalism and environment. You need to spread the right kind of message as you are representing the nation. While in a club, allegiance of every fan stay different. But they all look up to you when you wear the national logo. When you win or lose, the entire country shares your emotions which is not the case in a club as you may always have a fan having a different emotion than you even if you win or lose, simple because he supports another club.
On his experience at first day of practice:
We had a recovery session as we had played the earlier day. Later, we had an interaction with local blind footballers and it was an entirely different experience. It was heartening to know they knew the names of everyone. We mingled with them and even played blindfolded. Reaching out to all stays the aim and we spread the right kind of message. There are additional duties off the pitch too. That’s why the national team is something which all players stay desperate to play for.
On what the call-up means:
To be honest, I have been dreaming about it right from the moment I got my Indian passport. I appreciate the call-up and thank coach for keeping his faith on me. I know there are many who believe I am not an Indian as I don’t originally hail from the country. My mom stays a Japanese while my dad is an Indian. But all of that doesn’t perturb me at all. India is a huge country and the fact that I am in the squad of 23 means a lot to me.
On what prompted him to take Indian citizenship:
Applying for Indian citizenship was the biggest decision in my life. There were a lot of things which went through my mind and I could have never taken this decision alone. I spoke to a lot of people to whom I am indebted in my life – my teachers, friends and my family. All of them understood and appreciated the fact that it was my life and I needed to take a decision keeping my career and future in mind.