Ooty boy Pradeep on a high

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Football player M. Pradeep might be the hottest man in Ooty at the moment. In a major breakthrough, the 23-year-old has made it to India’s 31-player list for a friendly against Singapore on October 16. The squad will be pruned to 20 soon.

Whether Pradeep figures in the final list or not, he has already made Ooty proud by coming into national reckoning. He has grabbed the attention of national coach Wim Koevermans and consistent performances in the I-League should seal him an India cap at the earliest.

Pradeep, who plays for Air India in the I-League, is thrilled. “I have played for the U-19 national team. But to come closer to turning out for the senior national side is something else. It’s a dream I have nurtured from a young age,” he said.

The Air India midfielder’s determination to play for the country was evident when he was learning the ropes in the Chennai Football Association league four seasons ago as a SAI player.

When players of his age would worry about getting a job, Pradeep was only focused on moving up the ladder in his career.

A switch to the I-League was inevitable for a player of his class and ambition. After stints with Mumbai FC and Chirag United Kerala, Pradeep joined Air India before the start of this season.

Pradeep said the I-League experience has toughened him up. “I wasn’t a great tackler when I came to the I-League. But the top league in our country taught me the importance of not allowing my opponents a free run with the ball,” he added.

Even as a callow teenager, he didn’t take much time to become SAI’s midfield fulcrum in the Chennai league. His languid style, eye for a probing pass and ability to come up with game-changing goals made him a marked man.

SAI coach I.K. Unni said Pradeep’s fierce determination to make it big in football differentiated him from his peers. “He always used to dream big. I’m not surprised that he is on the verge of playing for India,” he added.

According to Unni, Pradeep is one of the most promising players to have come out of the SAI stable. “He is so proficient technically that he can adjust to any tactical system with ease,” he said. Unni is delighted that Pradeep and N. Mohanraj, another Tamil Nadu player in the preliminary list, are products of SAI, Chennai.

ICF coach P. Thulasi is a great admirer of Pradeep. He gave the midfielder his Santosh Trophy debut when Chennai staged the national championship in 2009. “Pradeep is a fine distributor.

He is an intelligent boy. Even though he has been playing as winger in the I-League, I feel he will flourish in the middle of the park. Pradeep has the talent to make things happen as a creative midfielder,” he said.

The selection of Pradeep underscores Ooty’s growing reputation as TN’s football nursery. Mohun Bagan forward C.S. Sabeeth, another Ooty native, has also been playing for the senior Indian team with distinction. “Cricket may be India’s obsession, but in Ooty football is king,” Pradeep said.