By Tanay Apte,

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: After a triumphant campaign in the Hero I-League Qualifiers, Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC) have not basked in that glory for long, instead preferring to get their squad up to speed for the rigors of the upcoming Hero I-League season.

In what can only be called an eye-catching summer recruitment drive, RUFC have added quality in each department, with a sprinkle of stardust on top in the form of Marcelinho and former Mohun Bagan and TRAU winger Komron Tursunov.

“Obviously, we want to win the Hero I-League title as debutants and create history just like we did in the qualifiers,” grinned club Director Kamal Singh Saroha. “We also understand it is not that easy but also not impossible.”

The state of Rajasthan has never had a team at this level and Saroha feels that a successful season will build on improving the football culture in Rajasthan.

“Winning the Hero I-League Qualifiers and getting into the prestigious Hero I-League was a dream come true for not only all of us but for each and every football player and fan of Rajasthan,” he said.

“The local players now know the platform or the pathway by which they can full fill their dreams of becoming a professional footballer and also getting scouted for the Indian National Team on the basis of their performance in the league,” added Saroha.

Despite their success in these last few months, Saroha feels that being the first Hero I-League club from Rajasthan comes with a lot of responsibility.

“We need to really work hard at the grassroots level to improve the quality of football in Rajasthan,” he asserted. “We need to start from the basics and we plan to do so by conducting the AIFF Baby Leagues that encourage parents to allow their kids to pursue their dreams.”

Rajasthan United FC will begin their Hero I-League campaign against RoundGlass Punjab FC on December 26.