New Delhi: The Indian national football team is in crisis mode. After Mohun Bagan decided to withdraw seven of their players.and Anwar Ali suffering injuries, the squad that arrived in London on 24 May looked dejected. One of those making the trip is Ryan Williams. The 32-year-old made headlines by renouncing his Australian citizenship and taking an Indian passport, making him eligible to represent India.with the Indian coach Khalid Jameel is open to the idea. And looking at more such options for the future, one player to keep an eye on his phone is Shaun Hindle. But, not helped by the sleazy process, the phone is still ringing.Born to Punjabi parents and now a citizen of Canada, he currently holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. The process of representing India requires him to spend a year in the country – an option he is not averse to.“I really want to come to India, play in the (Indian) Super League, play for the national team. The most important thing is to play for the national team. If I can do that while playing in America or Canada, and I can play for India, great. If I have to come Indian Super League To get a passport and then play for India, I will do it. I have made (it) clear, whatever happens, I will do it,” Hindal told TimesofIndia.com in a virtual conversation.“But I need help from the federation (AIFF), or at least the federation (needs) to push for a team in the Super League and start the process of getting me and then getting a passport. Whatever it is, I’m ready to do, but I feel like there’s not enough pressure from whoever in India is pushing to get me there,” he continued.
Sean Hindle plays for Brooklyn FC in America. (Instagram)
Last year, the 26-year-old striker was close to joining Mohammedan Sporting. After lengthy fee negotiations all parties were on board, but delays due to incorrect paperwork resulted in the transfer falling through.Attempts have already been made to follow this practice on the personal front. His father, who works for a trucking company in Canada, has tried to find a connection for his son to get an Indian passport and avoid bureaucratic hassles.But to no avail.Sean, born in Ontario, Canada, was introduced to the sport at the age of 3. Initially, football was not a serious career option. But as soon as he turned 13 and trained at the Toronto FC Academy, things began to align.He now plies his trade at Brooklyn FC, which competes in the second division of the US league structure. In his 10-year senior career, he has played in multiple divisions in the USA and Canada. During this period, he trained with former Juventus and Italy international Sebastian Giuco and former USA national team players Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley.
Shaun Hindle has played for several teams in the US and Canada. (Instagram)
After making 228 appearances in all competitions and scoring 60 goals, Handel hopes a move to an ISL club is certain. He acknowledged interest from I-League clubs, but said the move would “sideways” his career.“As much as I want to play in India and play for the national team, I don’t want to make a move that’s one-sided, it doesn’t make sense for my career because if I take that big leap in India and I go to the I-League and somehow I’m not playing for the national team, then the whole move is pointless,” Hindle said.“Whereas if I go to the Indian Super League, it’s worth it. The surface is good. This is a growing league. So the move is worthwhile even if the national team doesn’t work out. At least I can go to the Indian Super League, and it’s a good move for my career.“That’s why I’m talking to people, and a lot of I-League clubs are interested, but I don’t want to go to the I-League. I’m trying to see if I can go to the Indian Super League first,” he added.For the 26-year-old, who is under contract with Brooklyn FC until December 2027, moving to the ISL and then representing India is the ultimate goal. For India, finding a striker for the future is a priority. Bringing the two together will help take Indian football forward.
