<p>Capital's first I-League team, Sudeva FC will be fielding an "all Indian XI" in its maiden appearance in top-flight football, club president Anuj Gupta has confirmed.</p>.<p>Gupta said he is "not looking at foreign options" for the forthcoming 2020-21 season, and wants to form a team by recruiting youngsters from his academy and experienced Indian players.</p>.<p>"Everyone knows how hard Indian players are working in the pre-season. So as a matter of policy this year I've decided to field an entirely Indian team. I will not appoint any foreign player this year," Gupta told AIFF TV during a chat show.</p>.<p>"I want to have a team with both young and mature players. It's not that I will be playing with just young players, I will also have at least six to eight experienced Indian players who can create a nice atmosphere for the youngsters.</p>.<p>"I want to grow the team as a big family on and off the field. Let's hope Sudeva will be able to do justice of being in Hero I-League in its maiden season," Gupta opined.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/i-league-must-go-on-even-if-covid-19-restrictions-come-in-way-of-foreigners-kushal-das-860777.html" target="_blank">I-League must go on even if Covid-19 restrictions come in way of foreigners: Kushal Das</a></strong></p>.<p>The show also featured chairman of the Sreenidhi Group KT Mahi, who won the bid for the other new team, and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar.</p>.<p>While Sudeva will be featuring in the I-league 2020-21, the Visakhapatnam-based Sreenidhi will be competing from 2021-22 onwards.</p>.<p>Highlighting the concept behind the launch of Sudeva, Gupta added: "The idea of starting Sudeva was to develop players and make sure they go through a pathway so that they play at the top level eventually.</p>.<p>"Our philosophy would remain the same. However, having an I-League club just completes the pathway. So this year for sure, I'll be having a decent number of graduates from our academy, who have been trained by us for many years."</p>.<p>He spoke about how the club has looked after the youngsters since handpicking them from remote villages.</p>.<p>"It's not that I've trained them, sent them back and getting them again before the I-League. After selecting them some years back we have literally been their mothers, fathers, mentors, coaches, everything till today," Gupta said.</p>.<p>"We take pride in the fact that we have selected some talented boys from needy families and now they will become professional players."</p>.<p>"More than performing well in the team, football can secure life and provide a job for them. If they keep their heads down and do well they will become heroes in their native places. They may go on to play international football." </p>
<p>Capital's first I-League team, Sudeva FC will be fielding an "all Indian XI" in its maiden appearance in top-flight football, club president Anuj Gupta has confirmed.</p>.<p>Gupta said he is "not looking at foreign options" for the forthcoming 2020-21 season, and wants to form a team by recruiting youngsters from his academy and experienced Indian players.</p>.<p>"Everyone knows how hard Indian players are working in the pre-season. So as a matter of policy this year I've decided to field an entirely Indian team. I will not appoint any foreign player this year," Gupta told AIFF TV during a chat show.</p>.<p>"I want to have a team with both young and mature players. It's not that I will be playing with just young players, I will also have at least six to eight experienced Indian players who can create a nice atmosphere for the youngsters.</p>.<p>"I want to grow the team as a big family on and off the field. Let's hope Sudeva will be able to do justice of being in Hero I-League in its maiden season," Gupta opined.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/i-league-must-go-on-even-if-covid-19-restrictions-come-in-way-of-foreigners-kushal-das-860777.html" target="_blank">I-League must go on even if Covid-19 restrictions come in way of foreigners: Kushal Das</a></strong></p>.<p>The show also featured chairman of the Sreenidhi Group KT Mahi, who won the bid for the other new team, and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar.</p>.<p>While Sudeva will be featuring in the I-league 2020-21, the Visakhapatnam-based Sreenidhi will be competing from 2021-22 onwards.</p>.<p>Highlighting the concept behind the launch of Sudeva, Gupta added: "The idea of starting Sudeva was to develop players and make sure they go through a pathway so that they play at the top level eventually.</p>.<p>"Our philosophy would remain the same. However, having an I-League club just completes the pathway. So this year for sure, I'll be having a decent number of graduates from our academy, who have been trained by us for many years."</p>.<p>He spoke about how the club has looked after the youngsters since handpicking them from remote villages.</p>.<p>"It's not that I've trained them, sent them back and getting them again before the I-League. After selecting them some years back we have literally been their mothers, fathers, mentors, coaches, everything till today," Gupta said.</p>.<p>"We take pride in the fact that we have selected some talented boys from needy families and now they will become professional players."</p>.<p>"More than performing well in the team, football can secure life and provide a job for them. If they keep their heads down and do well they will become heroes in their native places. They may go on to play international football." </p>