Sandip Nandy: Leander Paes is an inspiration

Bengaluru, September 5: Sandip Nandy is probably the only Indian footballer to have signed for the forthcoming Indian Super league (ISL) whose age is 42 years! Nandy has signed for Kerala Blasters.

Nandy represented the same team in the last ISL also. But even at this age how does he motivate him?

The former Indian international goalkeeper laughed off and said, “Fitness is the key factor to defy age. I have been maintaining fitness since my childhood and till date I have not ignored it.”

Nandy used to live in Burdwan, around four hours far from Kolkata via train. He used to come to Kolkata and go back every morning to train at his respective clubs (Sandip has donned shirts of both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan for couple of times).

Even after returning from Kolkata in the morning, Sandip used to practice at his childhood coach Gautam Sarkar’s goalkeeping academy in Burdwan.

The custodian said, “I follow Leander Paes religiously. I often read the recent articles, published in different magazines and newspapers. I have also watched his recent matches in the Davis Cup.

"Specially, I was simply bewildered by his unbelievable court movement and display against Rafael Nadal led Spain in the Davis Cup matches last year in New Delhi. Even I try to follow his style of training which is expressed by him through different interviews in the television channels.

"If Leander, at the age of 44 years can deliver such performance then I also will be able to deliver. He has been my inspiration.”

In a bid to keep fit Nandy has been maintaining diet all through his career. He never takes oily and spicy food. Still now he is accustomed with boiled food and that has been on for last 30 years!

Nandy’s childhood coach Gautam Sarkar also is amazed with his student’s dedication even at this age.

Sarkar said, “I could not imagine he would get call from an ISL team this season. More importantly, Sandip keeps himself so fit at this age that it has been example to the academy’s other young goalkeepers.”