In what comes as a major boost to football fanatics in the country, India’s defender and fabrication of YFC Rurka Klan, Anwar, has been cleared for a 20-day training stint with English Championship (second tier) side, Coventry City Football Club. Anwar left for UK on July 20 and will be training with the first team squad of the second division side.

Coventry City, who are known as the Sky Blues, play out of their newly built stadium Ricoh Arena with a capacity of 32,000. Anwar, who is the highest paid player ever in Indian football, has been the lynchpin of India’s defence over the past four years. He has been a part of the side that won the Nehru Cup, successfully negotiated through the AFC Qualifying stages, won the SAARC Cup and also played heavyweights like Australia in the Asian Cup.

Anwar has also played for various top Indian clubs, including JCT, Dempo and presently Mohun Bagan. Surprisingly left out of the Indian squad by his former boss at Dempo, Armando Colaco, Anwar has been working harder than before to stay in shape and keep his game at the highest level.

Talking to The Tribune, he said, “This is a big opportunity for me. I really want to make the most of it and get to learn as much as I can at Coventry City. They are playing in a division that is next only to the best league in world football.” He added, “It is a dream come true and I really hope I can learn from this and do better for my country and Mohun Bagan too.”

Coventry City, who have had players like Craig Bellamy and Robbie Keane playing for them, are equally excited to have the star defender from India. Coventry Associate Director Alan Malik said, “We are thrilled by the fact that we will have him here. Alongside the opportunity to train with the first team, Anwar also has the chance of being able to play for Coventry City in a few friendly games, depending on his performance during training sessions. We are definitely looking forward to it.”

Coventry City Football Club Asia secretary Jasbir Sandhu said, “It is a big moment for the entire Asian community. This is something that all of us wanted, and after so long, this dream is turning into reality. I wish Anwar the best for his time with Coventry City and I wish to see many more such events in future.”