06 / On the ground

Connections along the way

Behind every project are conversations, preparation, collaboration and countless moments that rarely make headlines — from football clubs and associations to international projects, media, sport and the people who shape the game.

Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with German football icon Franz Beckenbauer during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 in Germany.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with German football icon Franz Beckenbauer during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 in Germany.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former German international Andreas Beck and football consultant Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former German international Andreas Beck and football consultant Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and FSV Gütersloh players in conversation with DFB national team stars Giulia Gwinn, Sara Doorsoun, Sophia Kleinherne, Sjoeke Nüsken, and Svenja Huth.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and FSV Gütersloh players in conversation with DFB national team stars Giulia Gwinn, Sara Doorsoun, Sophia Kleinherne, Sjoeke Nüsken, and Svenja Huth.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Clemens Tönnies, Klaus-Peter Reinert, and FSV Gütersloh representatives Michael Horstkötter, Sebastian Kmoch, Lilly Stojan, and Tina Rother.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Clemens Tönnies, Klaus-Peter Reinert, and FSV Gütersloh representatives Michael Horstkötter, Sebastian Kmoch, Lilly Stojan, and Tina Rother.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting German Olympic sprinter bronze medalist Gina Lückenkemper.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting German Olympic sprinter bronze medalist Gina Lückenkemper.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Bundesliga top scorer and Werder Bremen icon Ailton.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Bundesliga top scorer and Werder Bremen icon Ailton.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel accompanied by goalkeeper Josi Osigus and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel accompanied by goalkeeper Josi Osigus and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das and Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das and Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured alongside German footballer Leonie Kreil.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured alongside German footballer Leonie Kreil.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in dialogue with former Germany women's national team head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in dialogue with former Germany women's national team head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with German footballer Nele Schmidt and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with German footballer Nele Schmidt and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel active on location at the renowned STEKA Cup football tournament.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel active on location at the renowned STEKA Cup football tournament.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside TV presenter Sylvia Walker at the German Football Ambassador Awards 2022.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside TV presenter Sylvia Walker at the German Football Ambassador Awards 2022.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Netherlands, Barcelona and Liverpool star Boudewijn Zenden.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Netherlands, Barcelona and Liverpool star Boudewijn Zenden.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former St. Louis CITY SC and current Aberdeen FC Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel and Arunava Chaudhuri at the SPOBIS sports business conference.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former St. Louis CITY SC and current Aberdeen FC Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel and Arunava Chaudhuri at the SPOBIS sports business conference.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and Michael Horstkötter representing FSV Gütersloh at the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and Michael Horstkötter representing FSV Gütersloh at the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Indian international Renedy Singh and Arunava Chaudhuri organizing the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim India Tour.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Indian international Renedy Singh and Arunava Chaudhuri organizing the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim India Tour.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Sport1 host Ruth Hofmann during the Budenzauber Emsland tournament in Lingen.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Sport1 host Ruth Hofmann during the Budenzauber Emsland tournament in Lingen.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Lionesses and Barcelona forward Toni Duggan.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former Lionesses and Barcelona forward Toni Duggan.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and representatives of the Bundesliga clubs at the kick-off of the "Spielplan Zukunft" alliance at the State Chancellery of NRW in Düsseldorf. (© Andrea Bowinkelmann / MAGS)
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and representatives of the Bundesliga clubs at the kick-off of the "Spielplan Zukunft" alliance at the State Chancellery of NRW in Düsseldorf. (© Andrea Bowinkelmann / MAGS)
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel catching up with Norway's Viking FK CEO Eirik Henningsen and Arunava Chaudhuri at the sidelines of the Future of Football Business Conference in Graz, Austria. (© Kerstin Kronabether / Football Business Inside)
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel catching up with Norway's Viking FK CEO Eirik Henningsen and Arunava Chaudhuri at the sidelines of the Future of Football Business Conference in Graz, Austria. (© Kerstin Kronabether / Football Business Inside)
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel catching up with ZDF sports presenter Amelie Stiefvatter at Die Finals 2026 in Hannover.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel catching up with ZDF sports presenter Amelie Stiefvatter at Die Finals 2026 in Hannover.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with FSV Gütersloh officials Michael Horstkötter and Tobias Neumann alongside ATLAS Safety Shoes marketing head Maximilian Finke.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with FSV Gütersloh officials Michael Horstkötter and Tobias Neumann alongside ATLAS Safety Shoes marketing head Maximilian Finke.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel during a Bundesliga matchday at DSC Arminia Bielefeld's SchücoArena.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel during a Bundesliga matchday at DSC Arminia Bielefeld's SchücoArena.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel celebrating the STEKA Cup 2024 tournament victory together with the FSV Gütersloh squad.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel celebrating the STEKA Cup 2024 tournament victory together with the FSV Gütersloh squad.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in discussion with Henning Matthes, First Regional Director of the City of Gütersloh.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in discussion with Henning Matthes, First Regional Director of the City of Gütersloh.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Canadian international and ISL star Iain Hume.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Canadian international and ISL star Iain Hume.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Kathrin Peter, head coach of the Germany women's youth national teams.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Kathrin Peter, head coach of the Germany women's youth national teams.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel networking with DFB representatives Larissa Kneisel and Leonie Klinkebeil.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel networking with DFB representatives Larissa Kneisel and Leonie Klinkebeil.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Cup champion Lothar Matthäus.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Cup champion Lothar Matthäus.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside New Zealand international footballer Maya Hahn.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside New Zealand international footballer Maya Hahn.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Nia Künzer, DFB Sporting Director for Women's Football and World Cup winner.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Nia Künzer, DFB Sporting Director for Women's Football and World Cup winner.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel together with former District Administrator Sven-Georg Adenauer and Tobias Neumann.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel together with former District Administrator Sven-Georg Adenauer and Tobias Neumann.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in professional consultation with Tobias Trittel, Chairman of the DFB Women's Bundesliga Committee.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in professional consultation with Tobias Trittel, Chairman of the DFB Women's Bundesliga Committee.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside French football legend and FIFA World Cup winner David Trezeguet.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside French football legend and FIFA World Cup winner David Trezeguet.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting Brazilian football icon and six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta Vieira da Silva.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting Brazilian football icon and six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta Vieira da Silva.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel hosting Indian national team players Nirmal Chettri and Godwin Franco alongside Arunava Chaudhuri at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel hosting Indian national team players Nirmal Chettri and Godwin Franco alongside Arunava Chaudhuri at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting 18-time Grand Slam champion Leander Paes.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting 18-time Grand Slam champion Leander Paes.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with German international and European Champion Sara Däbritz.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with German international and European Champion Sara Däbritz.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former India national team defender Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside former India national team defender Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh.
FFBL Leadership Event in Cologne: Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at the meeting of the Women's Bundesliga managers and the German Football Association in May 2023. (© German Football Association)
FFBL Leadership Event in Cologne: Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at the meeting of the Women's Bundesliga managers and the German Football Association in May 2023. (© German Football Association)
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel on the road with the Manchester City FC U10s team and coaching staff.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel on the road with the Manchester City FC U10s team and coaching staff.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Swedish football icon and former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside Swedish football icon and former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting German women's national team player Carolin Simon.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting German women's national team player Carolin Simon.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and Tobias Neumann meeting ATLAS Safety Shoes CEO Hendrik Schabsky.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and Tobias Neumann meeting ATLAS Safety Shoes CEO Hendrik Schabsky.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside FSV Gütersloh board members Michael Horstkötter and Sebastian Kmoch in a joint meeting with FC Gütersloh board executives.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel alongside FSV Gütersloh board members Michael Horstkötter and Sebastian Kmoch in a joint meeting with FC Gütersloh board executives.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with legendary German football manager Hermann Gerland.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel pictured with legendary German football manager Hermann Gerland.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Ina Laukötter, District Administrator of Kreis Gütersloh.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Ina Laukötter, District Administrator of Kreis Gütersloh.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in exchange with football benefactor and patron Klaus-Peter Reinert.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in exchange with football benefactor and patron Klaus-Peter Reinert.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former German national team player and Champions League winner Lena Goeßling.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel meeting former German national team player and Champions League winner Lena Goeßling.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with German professional footballer Manjou Wilde.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with German professional footballer Manjou Wilde.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel celebrating with 2024 Fritz Walter Gold Medal recipient Merle Hokamp and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel celebrating with 2024 Fritz Walter Gold Medal recipient Merle Hokamp and Markus Graskamp.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel representing FSV Gütersloh during a competitive away fixture at the SchücoArena in Bielefeld.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel representing FSV Gütersloh during a competitive away fixture at the SchücoArena in Bielefeld.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with TV sports presenter Sylvia Walker at the German Football Ambassador Award Ceremony 2021 in Berlin.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with TV sports presenter Sylvia Walker at the German Football Ambassador Award Ceremony 2021 in Berlin.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with the German Football Academy delegation during an official club visit and training camp at Borussia Dortmund (BVB).
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with the German Football Academy delegation during an official club visit and training camp at Borussia Dortmund (BVB).
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at 1. FC Union Berlin's iconic Stadion An der Alten Försterei during a 2nd Women's Bundesliga matchday.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at 1. FC Union Berlin's iconic Stadion An der Alten Försterei during a 2nd Women's Bundesliga matchday.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with prominent Indian sports journalist Mayanti Langer and consultant Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with prominent Indian sports journalist Mayanti Langer and consultant Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with former England manager Peter Reid during the SOCCEREX football business conference.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with former England manager Peter Reid during the SOCCEREX football business conference.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with popular Sport1 TV presenter Ruth Hofmann.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with popular Sport1 TV presenter Ruth Hofmann.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Premier League and FIFA World Cup TV anchor Seema Jaswal.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with Premier League and FIFA World Cup TV anchor Seema Jaswal.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in exchange with Indian tennis legend and multiple Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel in exchange with Indian tennis legend and multiple Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi.
Audi Football Summit 2012 in New Delhi: Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the India vs FC Bayern Munich match, which was also Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match.
Audi Football Summit 2012 in New Delhi: Chris Punnakkattu Daniel at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the India vs FC Bayern Munich match, which was also Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with former Indian national team player and AIFF National Team Director Abhishek Yadav and Arunava Chaudhuri.
Chris Punnakkattu Daniel with former Indian national team player and AIFF National Team Director Abhishek Yadav and Arunava Chaudhuri.