As a kid, Rohan Gavaskar aspired to be a footballer. The turn of events made him a cricketer instead. It had to be, though being the son of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. But Rohan’s passion for football didn’t die. It just took a break under a huge pile of cricketing commitments. As a kid, Rohan’s dream was to own a football club. His cricket career notwithstanding, he always walked the dream and eventually achieved it in 2007 when he, along with his friends, established Pune FC.

The club has now graduated to the I-League first division, and Rohan, as a co-owner wants his team to make a mark in India’s No 1 football tournament.

“I always wanted to own a club and make it a force in Indian football. The first part is achieved. Now, I want to see Pune FC doing well in the I-League first division,” Rohan told The Indian Express.

Indeed, Rohan and his friends the Parimal brothers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure Pune FC play good football in the I-League. “For a club just two years old, it’s already an achievement to make the top grade. Now the challenge is to prove we belong there,” Rohan said.

The cricketer, who has represented the country at the ODI level, has been enjoying every bit of his time in football management. “It’s my club and naturally I am deeply involved in its administrative activities. It’s very challenging, but at the same time, very exciting as well. As an administrator you have to look after everything — from infrastructure to marketing, to recruitment of players. We have a good side this season and hope to do well,” said Rohan.

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