Sunil Chhetri also exhibited a brilliant goal in his maiden selection trial at Mohun Bagan in 2002. He was only 16 years old. Subrata Bhattacharya was the coach of Mohun Bagan at that time. 

Former legendary striker Shyam Thapa was elated to have seen Sunil's goal as well as the ability to execute the bursting sprint within a short space. 

It was Sunil’s maiden entrance at the Mohun Bagan ground before signing a contract with the team. The memory is still relished by his father KB Chhetri. 

KB Chhetri speaking from New Delhi over the phone on Thursday remembered, “I took Sunil from Delhi to Kolkata to appear for the selection trial at Mohun Bagan. Shyam Thapa was present on the day.”

He continued, "I still remember late Anjan Mitra, the then club secretary was supposed to go somewhere. But despite being in a hurry he also got stuck after watching Sunil's play in the selection trial. Then I signed Sunil’s contract.” 

Sunil was already a potential in his school Mamta Modern Secondary School and Mohammed Sajid, the secretary of Delhi's City Football Club picked him up for the team. Sunil was studying in the 12th standard at that time according to Sajid. 

KB Chhetri remembered, “Sajid loved him a lot, inspired him. I also was happy to have seen Sunil’s growth as a footballer.”

Mohammed Sajid is still the secretary of City FC Delhi. Remembering Sunil's early football days he opined, "Sunil was already very potential as a striker. He scored a lot of goals in the Delhi league even at an early age. His off-the-mark speed around the box, and heading accuracy drew the attention of the other teams in Delhi already. Even he grabbed the 'best-emerging footballer's award' in the Durand Cup. He was playing for our team that time before going to Mohun Bagan for a selection trial."