Sujay SHARMA
Editor (Mumbai)

On this momentous occasion, here is my own IndianFootball.com story. It is just not a story of me and the institution of IndianFootball.Com, but rather, through IndianFootball.Com, has become a story of my life in 'the Beautiful Game: Football' - something which would definitely not have happened, had not the events unfolded as they did from that first fortuitous email I sent to Arunava on 27th December, 2004. Each of the landmarks that I mention in my story, have followed from that first Contact by me to Arunava. The emails I have mentioned have been lifted as it is from my archives, to give you a first hand feel of the emotions of those moments.
The story has come a long way. But I feel it has a much much longer way to come still.
And all that has come, and all that might come, will be thanks in no small way to IndianFootball.Com...

27th December, 2004 – CONTACT by me

Email by me to Arunava:

Dear Mr. Arunava Chaudhuri,
I was surfing the internet, and through various links, am emailing you on this ID of yours. I am a 20 year old die-hard football fanatic, living now in Bombay. But I lived in Calcutta from 2001-2004, and have also been to Germany. Hence I sincerely hope that you will not mind me corresponding with you.
Firstly let me congratulate you on your putting so much effort into promoting Indian Football. You undoubtedly deserve a lot of praise for it.
I actually dream of becoming a full-time professional in football, and there from rising up the ranks. But until today, I did not have a clue how to go about starting on the path towards achieving this dream of mine.
I can honestly tell you that there is NOT ONE other thing on earth that I care for as much as I do for Football, and so the opportunity of pursuing a career in it would be in a way be an important fulfilment of my life's purpose.
I have completed my high-schooling, and was in the 2nd year of studying B.Sc. Physics (Honours) at a Calcutta college, until circumstances conspired for me to put an end to that. So now if I could live-my-dream of becoming a professional in football, then I guess everything would turn out fine.
Hence the main purpose of me writing to you, and requesting of you, provided it is not much of a bother, to point to me the direction or steps I should or could take to embark on this endeavour of
mine, so that I can attempt to fulfil my ambitions.
I am eagerly awaiting your response,
Thanking you,
Sujay Sharma

27th December 2004 – RESPONSE from Arunava

24th January, 2005 – My first match report published on IndianFootball.Com (9th NFL: Mahindra United vs Dempo SC at Cooperage

1st March, 2005 – Officially Appointed IndianFootball.Com Correspondent (Mumbai)

18th May, 2005 – IndianFootball.com crossed HALF-MILLION single-user HITS

1st June, 2005 – Officially Appointed IndianFootball.com Editor (Mumbai)

18th to 30th October, 2005 – Reported on Federation Cup 2005 from Goa for IndianFootball.Com - my first experience of reporting on a tournament, and on a match outside Mumbai

22nd November to 4th December, 2005 – Reported on the 111th IFA Shield 2005 from Calcutta for IndianFootball.Com, won eventually by my favourite team FC Bayern's 2nd team. Also met Arunava in person for the first time, despite innumerable emails and phone-conversations.

26th November, 2005 – My Editorial Article on the upcoming FC Bayern II trip wass published on the official www.fcbayern.de website.

7th January, 2006 – Appointed Mahindra United 'Team Analyst' in a full-time professional role.

Email by me to Arunava and Chris:

Dear Arunava and Chris,
Here's the news I've been working towards, from the first time I sought you guys' advice, just over a year ago.
And with great thanks to your help, advice, initiation, suggestion, etc., I've finally been able to put my first foot forward in my aspirations.
Today, I was officially appointed 'Mahindra United Team Analyst' by Manager Henry Menezes. In this capacity I will be working directly under coach Derrick Pereira, assisting him to assimilate necessary data and come to relevant deductions, both on Mahindra United, and their opponents. As the NFL commences within a few days, I've already been busy these last couple of them. Now my commute to Kandivali will become a daily one (or whenever there is training of course).
As a bonus, I will also get to travel with the team to away matches whenever the coach deems it appropriate.
The most thrilling feeling after being appointed was the acknowledgement and congratulations from the players. Added with Derrick Pereira's expectations from me now - I definitely hope to do my best in this, and who knows the possibilities. The important thing is I have been able to make this beginning, and now it's up to me to grasp it.
Once again, most thanks to you both, without whom I doubt it would have started so good so soon !
With best wishes and regards,
Sujay

8th May, 2006 – Mahindra United won the National Football League.

Email by Arunava to me:

Dear Sujay,
As you are an official part of the Mahindra United Team:
Congratulations on winning the NFL title!!!
Your hard work surely was some small part of the Mahindra success story in the NFL...
Regards,
Arunava

Email by me to Arunava and Chris:

Dear Arunava and Chris,
Thanks a lot !!
I owe it to you guys too, for I wouldn't have been here without your guidance, support, and encouragement...
It's almost one and a half years since I first contacted you Arunava
I shall always be grateful...Many thanks once again...
Best regards,
Sujay

7th June to 11th July, 2006 – World Cup Columnist for a Mumbai newspaper. Published a daily Travelogue on my month-long country-wide trip of Germany during the tournament.

11th June, 2006 – Together with Chris, attended the Portugal vs Angola FIFA World Cup 2006 match in Cologne, Germany. Met Arunava too before and after the match.

15th December, 2006 – Mahindra United won the 112th IFA Shield

7th April, 2007 - IndianFootball.com crossed ONE-MILLION single-user HITS

4th to 9th February, 2008 – Participated at the Premier Skills Coaching Course in Delhi conducted by the Barclays Premier League, British Council, AIFF, ESPN-Star and Nike.

1st March, 2008 – Completed THREE years as a Football Journalist

7th March, 2008 – Mahindra United defended title and won the 113th IFA Shield

18th March, 2008 - IndianFootball.Com crossed ONE-and-a-HALF-MILLION single-user HITS

10th April, 2008 – IndianFootball.Com completed 10 years since it was started by Arunava Chaudhuri

Email by me to Arunava:

Dear Arunava,
Let me congratulate you for the successful 10 years IFC has had, since being founded by you. Hopefully it will become an even more successful and renowned institution in Indian football circles in the many years to come, which no doubt will be progressive for the sport in the country.
Best regards,
Sujay