As I begin a new journey in my football career, I wanted to say a couple of things to everyone back home. Like I posted on social media on Republic Day, I am and will always be proud to be Indian. Ideally, I would’ve liked to stay in India but the life of a footballer is sometimes filled with difficult choices and sacrifices that not everyone is willing to make. This time, that difficult choice was to emigrate.
My main objective now is to gain playing time with a club that will give me the chance to play. With no concrete offers to stay in India, the opportunity was given to me to tryout in the United States. My first tryout was with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on the U.S. border with Mexico where most of the trialists spoke Spanish and I only English but we all know the language of football. I was glad to be back on the football field playing the game that I love. I’m grateful for the chance to have trained there and also want to thank coach Wilmer Cabrera for his coaching and advice.
During my time in the states I was presented with an opportunity to join the current Bangladesh Premier League Champions Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. This is the best offer that I have received to play close to home and the opportunity to compete in the AFC Cup is one I didn’t want to pass on. So now I am in Dhaka, Bangladesh training with the first team. There is still some details that need to be wrapped up with FIFA to make my signing official but, assuming everything goes well in the next couple of days, I expect to be on the field in February competing in the AFC group stage. It’s an amazing turn of events but I plan to make the most of this opportunity.
Everyone here in Bangladesh has welcomed me with open arms and everyone back home in India continues to be supportive of my football ambitions. I can’t tell all of you enough how much your support means to me. It drives me and encourages me to give my best and raise India’s flag high wherever I go. I want to thank you for all the letters and messages. I wish I were able to answer all of you personally. For all of the youth in India, I say don’t give up on your dreams. It’s not easy by any means but if you want it enough you can achieve your goals in football, in school and in life.