With AB and Arsenal hogging all the limelight in yesterday's sporting action, couple of Indians slipped their way into the record books as well.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - The 22-year-old former East Bengal goalkeeper etched his name onto Indian football history by becoming the first Indian footballer in 79 years to take the field for an European club playing in the first tier of the country’s football league structure. Sandhu had been signed by Norwegian Tippeligaen club Stabaek FC in August 2014, and was handed the first appearance of his European career in this weekend’s 4-1 victory over Follo Fotballklubb.
Gurpreet is the fifth Indian player to play professionally in Europe after Mohammed Salim, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Pal, but only Salim has the recognition of having represented a top-division club – the barefoot legend from Mohammedan SC had been signed by Celtic in 1936.
Gurinder Singh Sandhu - This 22 year old became the first ever Indian born Australian to play for the national team when his made his debut against India yesterday.
A tall fast bowler, Sandhu played for the Australia Under-19 cricket team in the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He made his senior cricket debut for the Sydney Thunder in the 2011–12 Big Bash League season. He made his List A and First-class cricket debut for New South Wales at the end of the 2012–2013 Australian cricket season.
Proud achievement for a country not known for it's sporting culture. The last decade though has seen a dramatic change with many parents willingly allowing their children to take up sports as a career option.
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