Kunal Sawant

Kunal Sawant (born 23 August 1986) is an Indian goalkeeper playing in the Indian Super League for Mumbai City.

Kunal Sawant
Personal information
Full name Kunal Shantaram Sawant
Date of birth (1986-08-23) 23 August 1986
Place of birth Mumbai, India
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Mumbai City
Number 30
Youth career
2002–2003 Goan Sports Club
2003–2004 Mahindra United
2004–2005 New India Assurance
2005–2007 Union Bank of India
2007–2009 Central Railway
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Air India 15 (0)
2012–2016 Mumbai 31 (0)
2015 → Laxmi Prasad (loan) 0 (0)
2016 → Kerala Blasters (loan) 0 (0)
2017– Mumbai City 0 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 April 2020

Early life

Kunal Sawant was born in Mumbai, and completed his schooling at Don Bosco High School, Borivali. At school, he was well known for his love for sports. Ever since his school days, Sawant was popular for maverick traits in the field of sports; he was a keeper (goalkeeper / wicketkeeper) for the school's cricket, football, and hockey teams.

Kunal Sawant Saving a shot

Amateur League

Soon after schooling, Sawant was selected for Goans Sports Club (a local club in Mumbai, playing in the First Division) and played with them from 2002 until 2003. He was later selected to play with Mahindra United U-19 team and had a brief stint of exposure to play at the Indian National Football League. From 2004 until 2009, Sawant played for New India Assurance (Super division); Dena Bank (Super division); Union Bank of India (Elite division) and Central Railway (Elite Division).

Kunal Sawant throwing out a ball

Professional League

In 2009, Bimal Ghosh initiated Sawant into India's professional football circle, to play for Air India’s football team. Two years later, on Thursday, 3 February 2011, Sawant found himself at the cusp of a tragic fatal end to his progressive career owing to an on-field injury during a match against Salgaocar F.C. while playing in an I-League match. Medical professionals advised Sawant that his hand would recover gradually, but his career never will.

Contrary to the foreboding augury of the medical professionals, Sawant did make a bigger and better comeback in India's professional football circle on 28 October 2012 to play with Mumbai F.C. in the I-League. Sawant also represented Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy tournament in 2009, 2010 and 2012. During 2015 I-League season hiatus, 4 Mumbai F.C. players - Climax Lawrence (Former India Captain), Nicholas Rodrigues, Valerian Rebello and Sawant, were invited to play for Tuff Laxmi Prasad Sports Club on a short-term contract in Goa Professional League.[1]

Indian Super League (ISL)

In June 2016, Sawant signed a contract with, Sachin Tendulkar's, Kerala Blasters FC to be the team's goalkeeper for the 2016 Indian Super League.[2] Kerala Blasters FC finished the tournament by securing the second position.

Presently, Sawant is playing for Mumbai City FC

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References
  1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Tuff-grab-four-Mumbai-FC-players/articleshow/48474496.cms
  2. http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/06/14/24609052/indian-super-league-exclusive-kerala-blasters-sign-mumbai-fc
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