Sports
Chand extends Persija stay
Nepali international footballer Rohit Chand on Thursday extended his contract with Indonesia top-tier side Persija Jakarta for another one year.Nepali international footballer Rohit Chand on Thursday extended his contract with Indonesia top-tier side Persija Jakarta for another one year.
Chand inked the new deal on Thursday which keeps him at the club until December this year, according to his elder brother Rabindra Chand. The 25-year-old’s year-long contract with Persija was due to expire on January 7. Chand plays as the central defender in the Nepali national football team. His salary has been not disclosed. “Rohit and the club have agreed not to disclose the salary. But he will get bonuses in draws and wins for home and away matches besides salary,” said Rabindra. He had signed for $4000 per month last season.
The product of Anfa Academy had also played for the same club in 2015 after joining the Indonesian top-tier side in 2013. But he was out of action nearly for a year after picking up injury in early 2016 while playing for Malaysian second tier-side T-Team before joining Persija last year. He had a first taste of the Indonesian club football when he joined PSPS Pekanbaru, another top flight team, in June 2012.
Chand, who has been playing as midfielder and winger for Persija, started in 28 matches and netted three goals last season and will be the first Nepali footballer to feature in the AFC Cup. His team earned the berth for the AFC Cup after finishing fourth in the Liga 1. Chand had already traded his skills with I-league side Hal Sporting Club for two seasons after joining them in 2010. He is one among three players of the current batch of senior Nepali players to ply his trade on foreign soil.
Chand marked his debut for the national team at the age of 17 during the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Kathmandu. Ever since he has been an integral part of the National team setup. Although he made his name as defender he switched to midfield after joining I-League side Hal in 2010.