‘Have been waiting for this moment a long time’
SHILLONG: A crucial cog in the Royal Wahingdoh FC machine that won the Second Division I-League, and thus promotion to the premier league next season, Jackichand Singh is looking forward to his team’s moment in the top flight of Indian football.
Speaking in an interview with the official I-League website, published on Thursday, Jacki also praised the management of the club that he has been playing for since 2009.
“We had been waiting for this moment for a very long time,” the 22-year-old midfielder said of the team’s qualification for the I-League.
“It was our ambition from the very start to play at the highest level, and fortunately, our victory in the Second Division made it possible for us.
“We want to use this opportunity to showcase our playing style and test ourselves amongst the big boys. As for me, I just want to continue giving my best and learning more.”
Having joined the Royals as a teenager, Jacki said that he owes a great deal to club managing director Dominic Sutnga and believes that the hard work the team has put in will pay off.
“I will forever be indebted to Dominic Sutnga,” the Manipur footballer said.
“I (and many others) have been with RWFC since 2009 and we are privileged to have a father figure like him who has taken care of us all these years.
“I come from a very humble background in Manipur and would never have dreamt of this moment had it not been for Wahingdoh. In 2009 we were playing in the Second Division of the local Shillong league and we made our entry into the I-League in five years’ time.
“Since 2010, this team has been having a pre-season annually in Goa, playing against the big sides like Dempo, Salgaocar, Sporting Clube so that we could always strive for higher standards.
“In May 2012, the team went to Germany for three weeks training and this year our juniors went to South Africa for the Future Champions Tournament and made a strong impression against big sides like Sunderland.”
These opportunities are seldom given to players in the I-League, not to mention Second Division sides, he added.
“But the boss always kept his faith in us and whatever we are today is solely due to him and his vision for the club.”
Jacki was the top scorer among Indians in the Second Division with six goals and he also scored in the final game for against Bhawanipore FC in their 3-2 victory in Aizawl on April 11.
Bhawanipore were looking good for the title until RWFC came through the second phase of the final round with an all-win record.
Now, however, comes the challenge of playing in the big league, joining Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC, two teams that struggled in their debut seasons in the top tier.
Jacki, who counts former SLFC man Renedy Singh as an inspiration to him, reposes faith in the coach and management of Royal Wahingdoh.
“I believe in our coaches and the management that they will do what is necessary for a good performance in the I-League,” he said.
“We will take it one match at a time, and will be mentally focused on getting the job done.”
With three teams from Shillong in the I-League and numerous players from the region plying their trade in other clubs across India, Jacki also feels that things will get better for North East football.
“The entire North East is known for its talent pool,” he said. “We just need to learn to harness our talent in the right way to achieve results. Now that we have three teams in the I-League next season, I am sure that things can only get better.”
He also had a word to say on the prospect of six Shillong I-League derbies next year, describing it as a “challenge” as well as a “treat”.