Money matters as Jitendra Singh turns footballer from cricketer

Kolkata: He may be the vice-captain of the Indian team in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, but football was not the first choice for defender Jitendra Singh. Like every other teenager in India becoming a cricketer was his passion.

But for a Mahendra Singh Dhoni fan who dreamt of leading India in the Cricket World Cup, football has now become his life. Not Dhoni but Chilean Arturo Vidal is his idol and Bayern Munich the team he vouches for.

Jitendra and his brother were aspiring batsmen when they started out but had to change their mind after visiting a cricket academy, where they underwent a reality check after being shown the various kits needed by a batsman and it’s prices.

For a child whose father works as a watchman and mother as a tailor it was not easy to fund and meet the demands of becoming a cricketer or a future MS Dhoni.The loss of a cricketer gained the country a footballer, who will lead the Indian defence in their first match of the World Cup against USA.

Talking about the change in his goal and aspiration in a chat with AIFF Jitendra says, “There is not a single day that I regret choosing football. I am happy that I chose football and look where I am today. I am proud that I get to represent my nation and that is what any athlete could ever ask for.”

His family had to dwell through several hardships but taught him to dream football and for Jitendra they are his inspiration. “My father is a watchman and my mother does tailoring but that did not stop my brother to play football. My brother is an inspiration for me, a motivation that keeps me going through tough times. My family has always been supportive of me playing football. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today”, said Jitendra full of gratitude.

Form holding a cricket bat in his hand to dancing his way with a football at his feet, Jitendra has come a long way. He has already inspired his little brother who he believes started playing because of him (Jitendra). “He reminds me of myself when I started playing football with my elder brother.”

But participating in the U-17 World Cup is not just the end the road for him. “I have to work hard, very hard and become a good player so that I can represent the Senior National Team,” he concluded.