Walsall's Netan Sansara
Teenage sensation Netan Sansara is the latest Asian footballer to emerge and show that there is talent among the community.
The 17-year-old was given a professional contract in December 2006 by League Two side Walsall Football Club and was also in the England U-18 squad that took on Holland last week.
The defender is only the second British-Asian player to represent England at any level after Cardiff City's Michael Chopra.
Diet
Sansara told British Asian Newspaper, Eastern Eye, that he can't go a week without having a curry, but knows he has to take care of himself if he wants a successful career in football.
"I'm still a normal kid, even though I'm playing for a professional club. I do what normal kids do and I love my curries. My grandma still forces it down me, but I am at the vital point where I need to eat properly. My mum helps me with my diet but I canıt go without a curry for more than a week."
Education
Sansara is combining his career while studying for A-levels in PE, Biology and Psychology at South Birmingham College.
"I feel privileged to be playing football because it is something I have always wanted to do," said Sansara. "To be honest, not many Asian kids get support from their parents.
"From a young age, my mum used to take me to training and knew I had a keen interest, so she has helped me a lot in my career.
"But my mum has always highlighted the point of getting an education so that's why I'm doing my A-levels as well. You know how Asians are, they love education."
Injury
Sansara is aware of the trappings of fame and the unpredictability of a career in football. The teenager broke a bone in his left hand during a youth team game with Port Vale earlier in the month.
"I made a challenge and fell awkwardly and broke my hand. The doctors said it would take a week to heal but it feels alright and has healed pretty quick.
"There has been talk that if the bone doesn't heal properly, it might become prone to breaking again. Being a footballer, there will always be a risk so I might have to have a metal plate in my hand."
"My mum, family and my lecturers always tell me to have a back-up plan. Many players have played for youth teams but have suffered injuries which have ruined their careers.
"I don't want to be one of those players who only have a few years in the game. I want to have a lifetime in the game and be a role model to other Asian kids."
Route into the game
Sansara's journey to becoming a professional player began when he was a child. He was soon playing for his school and for local sides. At 15, interest in him grew when he turned out for a men's team. At 16, he had a trial with Championship side Birmingham City but he was advised to go and try out at Walsall FC.
"I was told that I would have a better chance at Walsall because at Birmingham City, they have got a lot of money and don't really pay notice to their youth team.
"So I tried out at Walsall. I trained with them on a Friday and I signed for their youth team a few days later."
Less than a year from then, he was signing a professional contract with the side and has become a regular in their reserve side.
Role Model
Sansara says his friends were surprised that an Asian had made it as a footballer, but are happy that he has succeeded. He now wants to use his position as an example to Asians who want to make football a career.
"I just want to be a role model because I have played with other Asian kids. I have seen a lot of talent but I don't think they take it seriously enough.
"Most Asian kids start getting serious about football from a late age, around 14 or 15. They miss out on all the early training and exposure and that could be vital.
"They don't get the chance to develop other skills, such as using their other foot and things like that.
"If they take it seriously enough and commit to playing at a higher level than at the grassroots, then I think they have a good chance of making it."
Sansara plies his trade as a left back but says that he originally played as a left-winger.
"I was a left winger before because I was quite fast and nippy. When I went for a trial at Birmingham City, I was told that playing as a defender would suit my style because I was tall and athletic. I have slotted into that
position and I'm used to it. But I still loves to run with the ball, like Liverpool's John Arne Riise."
Sansara says he finds it tough to combine his career with his education.
"But football gives me a release and I enjoy it so itıs not a problem."
Aspirations
He says he is grateful to Walsall for the opportunity they gave him to play football as a career, but would one day like to play for the team he has supported as a child Liverpool FC.
"It's always been a family tradition to support Liverpool. I used to go see them play a lot when I was younger but I don't get time now," he said.
"My ultimate dream was to be the first Asian to represent England and I have done that. Michael Chopra is half-Asian (his mum is Irish) so I am the first (full) Asian to play for England.
"Now my dream is to have a long career and one day play for Liverpool.
"I'll take each day as it comes because nothing is ever promised. I just work hard every day and see what my rewards are. I want to keep playing football and working hard."
by Zohaib Rashid, Eastern Eye
