Indian players should get attention in Indian football leagues, not foreigners: Kean Lewis

What led you towards football in the first place?

As a kid, I was quite athletic and had tons of energy to burn. I played many sports and was good at it. I ended up playing football for my school team. The school principal pushed my parents to send me for trials. During the trials, I started realising that I was good at football.

You were called for Leicester City trials when you were a teenager. How was your experience?

The experience to train with a top team like Leicester is incomparable. Now everyone knows Leicester because they won the title. When I was on trial they were playing at Championship level, but were still very good. I trained with the U-14 and U-16 academy squads. Everything was professional and organised. Unfortunately, the decision to relocate to UK and leave everything behind in India was a difficult one for me.

How was your experience under Tata Football Academy (TFA)?

Soon after, I came back from Leicester and went for the U-19 I-league with Mahindra United to Jharkhand, I was picked up by TFA. As a football academy, it was the best in India, with best players, gym facility, medical and coaching staff. But I wished to continue with my education, so I continued doing correspondence studies through a state board in Maharashtra.

Why did you decide to shift to US?

With sports being an unpredictable field, my family was worried as to whether my education would start taking a backseat. They thought that I should go to the US and do both; study to get a degree and play football.

How was your experience in US?

Initially, it took a while to get accustomed to the training style. Fitness testing and conditioning were new aspects of football that I was introduced to within the first few weeks. My freshman year was a bit of a struggle, few starts and battling positions with seniors. My sophomore year I started the first seven games before suffering an ACL tear and was out for the season. My junior year we went on to win the title of the NorthEast Conference. My senior year I ended up being awarded the best player of the year on the team, also known as the ‘Knight Award’.

You played for Mohun Bagan. How was that different from football in US?

Indian football is very different. It is not the same as team abroad. As a country, India is still developing in football. We still have to learn much more from how foreign clubs run their programmes. The US football programmes are planned and organised. Right from player development, to academy training, to scientific methods of coaching, nutrition, management and professionalism, everything is pre-planned. Playing in front of a large number of supporters and fans, and winning the the Federation Cup and scoring a second spot in the I-league was a great experience.

Why did you join Delhi Dynamos, out of all ISL teams?

I met the Delhi Dynamos management and have seen the quality of players, coaches that they have garnered in the past season. Personally, Delhi is a city that I have not visited much. So this year I wanted to experience how it would be to play for a team which happens to be the only club in north of India.

How do you think would ISL be different from I-league?

In terms of professionalism and infrastructure, I think ISL is better than I-league teams. With foreign coaches and foreign players the standard of the game and training is also of another level. With the experience of foreign players and young Indian players, it’s good exposure for Indians and also for I-league teams.

Many believe ISL to be more ‘glamourous’ than I-league? Any pressures?

Yes, it is glamorous in comparison to the I-league because of the marketing and the finances drilled into it. But it’s still football at the end of the day. 11 playing against 11. As an athlete, student, son, there are always pressures, and I’ve always found a way to come out on top.

Any thoughts on potential ISL-I league merger?

Well nothing can be said about that. It’s up to AIFF and IMG. The bridging gap in terms of finances is the biggest issue I think. Also the foreign player to Indian players ration would have to change. We cannot have more foreign players playing in the top Indian league, than Indian players. The aim is the improve Indian football, not give foreigners the limelight.

What are your thoughts on playing under Gianluca Zambrotta, who has been appointed as the head coach of Dynamos this season?

It is going to be my first time playing under a World Cup player. We’ve seen in the World Cups that Italy was known for its defence, I’m sure that going to be a learning area for me as I’m an offensive player trying to overcome the defence.

Do you wish to associate with Indian national team, at some stage in your career?

Yes, one of my goals is to play for the national team. That is also one of the reasons why I came back to India to continue my football career.

Being in other parts of the world and experiencing the global football arena, first hand, what are your thoughts on football in India?

Like I said before, India as a country has to grow. All the bodies have to work together to improve football in India. There is lot of talent in India, but the system is not right. Players are not monitored through the age groups. Colleges and school have their own leagues with no scouting.

When not playing football, what are your hobbies?

Usually during offseason, I go for treks. I even like to go swimming or try out new food. I love travelling and I like to be amidst nature, so weekend getaways to the beach or hill station are always on. I also like to do art.

If not football player, what would be your career choices?

I quite enjoyed coaching football to kids. So I’d be a coach or manager. I also want to start a restaurant. So, restaurateur is another career choice.