Hyderabad: Subrata Paul, one of India’s most iconic goalkeepers and a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award, has taken on a new role as an Executive Fellow at Woxsen University. This esteemed former captain of the Indian national football team brings with him a wealth of experience from his illustrious 15-year international playing career. At Woxsen, Paul will inspire students by sharing invaluable insights on various facets of his journey, including team building, advanced goalkeeping techniques, effective captaincy, international competitions, winning the Golden Glove, coaching methodologies, and life beyond the football field. His presence aims to motivate students by emphasizing the significance of hard work, perseverance, leadership, and the drive to succeed in both sports and life. Additionally, Paul will contribute to the university’s sports consultancy efforts, lending his expertise to advance the institution’s sporting programs.

Paul’s legendary status as the greatest Indian goalkeeper is well-earned, with his exceptional performance in the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha earning him the nickname ‘Spiderman’ from international media outlets across Australia, Korea, and Asia. Notably, he remains the only Indian footballer to have been honored with such a moniker by global media. His association with Woxsen University resonates deeply with both his personal vision and the institution’s mission to foster a robust sporting culture within educational environments. This collaboration aims to support Indian athletes in developing professional careers in sports and establishing a strong presence on the international stage.

Reflecting on his journey and the opportunities provided by Woxsen University, Paul expressed his admiration for the university’s sporting facilities. He remarked, “I had heard about the sporting facilities at Woxsen University, and once I visited, I was pleasantly amazed at what has been built. Kudos to the management for having the vision and willingness to take on the social responsibility of providing the best for all students. As a kid, I mostly played on grounds devoid of grass and often littered with pebbles. Students here are lucky to have such infrastructure. This is the best university sporting facility I have ever seen. I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world, but this one ranks at the top among most universities.”

Paul also stressed the importance of integrating sports education into school and higher education curricula. He advocated for making sports a mandatory component of education, stating, “We need to have compulsory periods for sports. Unless a student passes in sports, they shouldn’t be given a degree. Every day, for around 90 minutes, everyone needs to go out and play. They may not all turn into professional players, but sports make you a better individual. It’s high time every educational institution started giving extra credits for sports. This has been long overdue, and we keep speaking about it.”

Throughout his career, Paul has played for top clubs in Denmark and India, including Vestsjaelland, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Salgaocar, Pune FC, Hyderabad FC, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), and Jamshedpur FC. His dedication to the sport extends beyond his playing career; he currently owns a professional team, operates his own academy where he coaches underprivileged children at his own expense, engages in various philanthropic activities, and supports the underprivileged community.

In summary, Subrata Paul’s role at Woxsen University is set to inspire and elevate the institution’s sporting culture while providing students with first-hand knowledge from one of India’s football greats. His advocacy for compulsory sports education underscores his belief in its transformative power on individuals and society at large.