Given his humble beginnings, Jackichand Singh's rise in becoming one of the best footballers in the country has been spectacular.
The 23-year-old, who was raised in a family faced with severe financial constraints, has used football to force his way to a better life. The winger helped newly-promoted club, Royal Wahingdoh, finish a credible third in the 2014-15 I-League season. To top it off, Jackichand received the ‘Best player’ award.
When Jackichand was young his mother ran a tea stall while his father was a farmer. Times were tough, but things are looking up now.
“Since my childhood, we have had a lot of financial problems. I have earned a little bit by playing in the I-League, and we bought land and started building a house. But it's not complete.
“If I get some money from the Indian Super League (Jackichand is expected to be actively pursued by ISL franchisees, given his stellar season), then I will be able to finish the house,” Jackichand, who is training with the national team here ahead of India's World Cup qualifying match against Oman, said on Monday.
He recalls his journey from playing football in his village in Manipur to now competing in India's elite league.
“There was a coach in my village, Lokendra Singh. He's the one who taught me the fundamentals of football. He is also the one who advised me to move to Shillong (Meghalaya) and join the Army Academy.
“The coach at the Army Academy made me the player that I am today. I also owe a lot to the Wahingdoh owner, Dominic Sutnga Tariang. Tariang spotted me when I was playing for the army side, and brought me over to Wahingdoh as part of the club's academy. I played for the club for a year, after which he asked me to leave the Army Academy and join his club. I accepted his offer immediately,” he said.
The Shillong club, though strong at the State level, could not break into the national scene. It took four attempts for the side to qualify for the I-League main draw, but Jackichand never considered jumping ship.
When the big stage finally arrived, his loyalty paid off. Much like Jackichand, most of the Wahingdoh players have been in the team for five to seven years.
It was only natural that this familiarity turned the side into a well-oiled machine. As a result, Wahingdoh exceeded expectations by finishing third, while Jackichand was declared the best player of the I-League.
The award serves the soft-spoken India international as motivation. “I am very happy to get this recognition, that too in my I-League debut season. It has fired me up to do even better,” Jackichand said.
