ISL Plays a Big Role to Uplift Soccer in India: FC Goa

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The three key members of the FC Goa-Manvir Singh, Seiminlen Doungel and Jackichand Singh- feel ISL is playing a big role to develop soccer in India. According to them, the league is inspiring the new generation to take football as a career option.

The entire FC Goa team is now in Guwahati to play their third game of the season in the championship. This time they will face local outfit NEUFC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here tomorrow.

Talking exclusively to The Sentinel here today Manvir Singh, one of the most promising strikers of the country, said, “ISL has brought several new things which have made a positive impact on the game. We are now more conscious about our fitness, diet and other things and I feel footballers started to give more attention to those areas after the league started.”

Taking a question on tomorrow’s game he said, “It’s a big game. NEUFC played well in their earlier matches but we will try our best to collect full three points from here.”

His teammate Seiminlen Doungel feels players from the North East can be highly benefited from the ISL. “When we started to play soccer there were not too many opportunities for us. But the scenario has now changed and there are more options for the players and even for the support staff which is created by the ISL.”

He is, however, very much excited to return to Guwahati. The reason is that he represented NEUFC twice, last time in the 2017 season, and has a lot of memories with this city. Seiminlen, hails from Manipur, admitted: “Yes, I am a little bit excited. Once it was my home ground and I played for the local team. So I am waiting to return to the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.”

Regarding his experience at FC Goa, the former Shillong Lajong footballer said,“ Crowds are very supportive there. It’s not a matter of whether we are playing good or bad. They are always with us to support. It’s really a fantastic experience.”

Meanwhile, Jackichand Singh, the former international, also feels ISL is successful to bring positive changes in the Indian Football. “We are now getting the opportunity to play more quality matches. On the other hand, ISL clubs are recruiting quality foreigners in the teams and it is helping our young players to develop their skill.”

He also denied that there will be any negative impact on the I League teams of the North East after AIFF’s decision to make the ISL the top tier competition of the country.

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