Know Your Under-17 World Cup Stars: Striker Aniket Jadhav

Meet the stubborn teenager who, at 9, remained intractable against his father’s wish for him to return home.

Aniket Jadhav. 

(Photo: AIFF)

Growing up in a football crazy Kolhapur, Aniket Jadhav started training at his school Krida Prabodhini in Pune at a young age. Not being picked in the U-14 squad couldn’t do much to hold the young footballer back. He joined Pune FC’s under-15 team and eventually became the only player from Maharashtra in India’s Under-17 squad.

Jadhav was selected as a striker from a trial in Mumbai. In fact, he had started playing as a left-back and had auditioned as a left-winger.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Football Team)

Early Beginnings

Spotting his talent in the bylanes of Kolhapur, Aniket’s maternal uncle Sanjay Jadhav took his nephew for the selection trials of Krida Prabhodini Academy – a multi-disciplinary camp run by the Maharashtra government in Balewadi, Pune to nurture young sportspersons from economically weak backgrounds.

Maharashtra government felicitates Aniket Jadhav. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/SuryaSakal)

The footballer’s father Anil, an autorickshaw driver, however was against this decision and tried to get his son to come home. But a nine-year-old Aniket had realised his passion for football and despite repeated persuasion, didn’t budge.

He was determined to pursue his football passion and he was progressing. His father requested me to allow him to leave Prabhodini and return to Kolhapur, but I told him that this was not possible. Aniket was so passionate about football that even on non-training days, he trained alone. I don’t remember him not achieving his daily targets which we set for him during practice.

Jaideep Angirwal, Aniket’s Coach to <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/articles/india-u-17-world-cup-squads-aniket-jadhav-pursues-football-ambitions/18603168">Mid-Day </a>

Road to India’s U-17 Squad

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Football Team)

In 2010, Aniket’s dream had a minor setback when he was omitted from the state under-14 team for a tournament. However, encouragement from his coach made him “vow to give his best to be selected in the team the following year”. The same year,he was among the 10 players who were picked by former Germany and Bayern Munich legend Paul Brietner to represent India at the FC Bayern Munich Youth Cup.

He was inducted in I-League team Pune FC’s Under-15 squad and subsequently played in their Under-17 and Under-19 teams.

Not Just Football

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Football Team)

After his first year at the Krida Prabhodini, Aniket was assumed to be a long distance runner but he was adamant on playing football. Though, the Maharashtra lad does like playing table tennis too.

Idols and Favourite Team

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Football Team)

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Football Team)