Jacki, Seitya look to conquer new heights
SHILLONG: The names Jackichand Singh and Seityasen Singh are synonymous with Royal Wahingdoh. Together, the duo has delivered stellar performances time and again right since the time they started playing for the Royals in 2009.
As the Royals continue their journey in the maiden I-League season, the stars of Shillong Premier League, Jacki and Seitya have already proved that they are no pushovers when it comes to competing at the highest level.
It was the brilliance of Jacki and Seitya that made it 2-1 for the debutants in the tie against city rivals Shillong Lajong FC with the latter scoring the winner. The duo was also among goals in the games against Salgaocar FC and Bharat FC.
As the two familiar names in the city football circles aim for newer and more glorious heights in RWFC’s debut I-League season, they look back at the journey so far, the struggles and the rewards, the perseverance and the hard work put in and above all the support they received throughout from the club and the fans.
Hailing from the Imphal East district of Manipur, Jacki and Seitya, friends since childhood, trained under the same mentor before landing in Shillong in search of better opportunities.
Playing in the second division league in Shillong in 2007-08, the teenagers were spotted by Club owner Dominic Sutnga Tariang and were subsequently absorbed in RWFC’s youth academy.
They made their debut for the Royals in the First Division league in 2009, a season that the Royals went on to win unbeaten to qualify for the Shillong Premier League, and since then there has been no looking back for the duo from Manipur.
Both Jacki and Seitya, who coordinate effortlessly in the frontline, have been instrumental in many a success of Royal Wahingdoh which has always proved dominant in the local football leagues.
Their exploits in the Shillong Premier League have been far too many to take them places.
Failed Second Division I-League campaigns, however, did not deter the strikers from continuing with a Club they called their own and the persistence was finally rewarded when the Royals qualified for their maiden I-League season.
“When we came here (Shillong) we had nothing to boast of…the Club spotted us and always thought of our future,” Seitya said here on Thursday.
Jacki felt that the inclusion of experienced players in the Wahingdoh ranks post the failed Second Division I-League campaign prior to the historic season when they qualified paid dividends and led to the side’s success.
Elated at the promotion of their side to the I-league, the duo felt that the Second Division I-League had rendered Royals the mentally toughness required to survive in the top tier tournament.
“Playing in the second division I-League toughens you mentally as it provides no room for failures…so there is no added pressure playing in the I-League now,” Jacki said.
Jacki and Seitya say that they have enjoyed playing in the I-League so far and the team has left behind the defeat against Bengaluru FC and is looking forward to the tie against Goan giants Dempo SC on Saturday.
They said the love and support of the fans is the motivation that gets the side going.