BFC left-back Ajith on the right track

Following a successful two-year stint at Chennai City FC (CCFC) – during which he won the I-League and represented the club at the continental stage – full-back Ajith, in August, moved up the ladder, penning a three-year deal with BFC, a long-term admirer of his work.

“I would like to be a regular member in the eleven. I am ready to do whatever the team wants me to,” Ajith, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday, told DT Next. “It is quite a new experience. I am still learning the tricks of the trade,” added the Chennai-based lad.

Ajith said that the backroom staff, led by Spanish head coach Carles Cuadrat, is making sure he has a seamless transition from the I-League to ISL. “Cuadrat has told me not to rush things. The staff is really supportive. Our video analyst Alwin Lawrence speaks Tamil. He is helping me settle into the club. All of them have been patient enough to teach me,” explained Ajith.

New kid on the block at Bengaluru, Ajith stated that Sunil Chhetri has looked after the newcomers well. “When the youngsters joined the squad, he came to us and spoke. When I felt down during training sessions, he asked me to enjoy the game. He is helping me with my diet. He motivates everyone on the pitch and that is a huge boost for me,” Ajith spoke in awe of the BFC captain.

With the league starting in less than a week’s time, Ajith is working his way to full fitness. The defender’s last competitive appearance came in March when Chennai City played out a 2-2 draw against Maldives’s Maziya S&RC in the AFC Cup group stage here.

“I was away from the game for about six months. When I joined the team for the pre-season camp in Bellary, I was not in the best of shape. Hence, I started from scratch. Since moving to Goa, I have been extensively working with fitness coach Mikel Guillen,” he said. However, the BFC faithful can expect Ajith to unleash his powers once the season begins.