Former England youth worldwide Simranjit Singh Thandi says his story exhibits “something is feasible” as he prepares to be acknowledged in a pre-season pleasant forward of South Asian Heritage Month.
Singh Thandi’s fame in Europe has grown after a superb second half season with Cypriot high division aspect Doxa Katokopias. The previous Stoke Metropolis full-back began 16 of 18 matches and his performances earned him a spot within the 2023/24 British South Asian Soccer Crew of the Season.
The staff might be in Gravesend when Punjab United host Sporting Khalsa on the Steve Cook dinner Stadium on July 13 within the second annual festive match between the 2 sides forward of South Asian Heritage Month, which runs from July 18 to August 17.
Punjab United and Sporting Khalsa have Sikh house owners and each groups play within the 4th tier of the Nationwide League system, the eighth tier of English soccer.
Singh Thandi, who practiced at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Leicester (GNG Leicester FC) as a youth, admits he’s thrilled to have his story showcased within the hearts of the neighborhood 5 days earlier than South Asian Heritage Month begins.
“I’m honored to be a part of the Crew of the Season. It is an unbelievable feeling. There are some sensible gamers there so it is a good feeling to be round them,” mentioned the previous England U17 worldwide. Sky Sports activities Information.
“For individuals to acknowledge what we have completed is nice.
“I really feel it offers me the chance to encourage those that are attempting to maneuver on and turn into footballers by exhibiting what is feasible and exhibiting what could be achieved.
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Meet Chippy, the driving pressure behind Punjab United’s unbelievable achievements in simply twenty years within the soccer pyramid (Credit score: Sky Guess)
“Many British South Asians and younger Sikhs ask me how I really feel now that I’ve reached this stage and I inform them that if you happen to change, work laborious, keep targeted and keep constant, then you’ll be able to try be something.
Leicester Metropolis midfielder Aryan Raihi joined Sky Sports activities Information’ Dev Trehan eventually 12 months’s launch of South Asia’s ground-breaking soccer staff of the season as Sporting Khalsa hosted Punjab United.
“It is essential for individuals to know that something is feasible and I hope they keep on with what they’re on to realize their goals.”
Hamza has completed ‘very effectively for himself’
Singh Thandi spent a decade in Leicester Metropolis’s academy earlier than turning skilled at Stoke – and the defender’s look within the South Asian worldwide’s Soccer Crew of the Season sees him reunited with British-Bangladeshi midfielder Hamza Choudhury.
“I keep in mind taking part in with him once I was rising up within the U14s and U15s and he was within the U16s and U18s,” recalled Singh Thandi.
“It was nice to fulfill him once I was a child as a result of we really performed with the boy at Leicester first staff matches!
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Former Leicester teenager Sim Tandy has mirrored on his transfer to Cypriot aspect AEK Larnaca, the place he made his first-team debut in final season’s 4-0 Europa League qualifier win over Levski Sofia.
“He is completed rather well. I noticed him captain just a few video games final season as effectively and Leicester bought promoted, which is de facto essential.
“To be round him within the Crew of the Season is nice – like an outdated good friend, what I am speaking about.”
British South Asians in soccer
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