A regular at one of the most renowned football clubs in the country, Mohun Bagan; a nomination for the Hero India Sports Award (HISA), 2005; a ?Footballer of the year? award by All India Football Federation in 2003; gifting Manipur its maiden Santosh Trophy in 2002 ? 24-year-old Wangkheirakpam Tomba Singh?s achievements have been many. But ?Golden Tomba? promises that there is a lot more to come.
The young Manipur footballer earned the ?golden? epithet when his golden goal against Kerala in Imphal brought the Santosh Trophy to Manipur for the first time in 2002.
That goal made the front page of all Manipuri dailies and booked Tomba a place with Goan football giant, Salgaocar.
Currently enjoying a break after the National Football League, Tomba is in Manipur on leave and spoke to Atom Samarendra on his future plans and the prospects of the game in the state. Excerpts:
On his being nominated for the HISA:
I?ve not been officially informed about the nomination. I came to know that I?m in the running for this year?s awards only from newspaper reports.
However, I?m very glad that my efforts are being recognised. But whether I?ll get the award or not is a different question altogether.
On the AFC?s Vision India Football Project being implemented in Manipur:
I have little knowledge about what exactly the project envisages. Nevertheless, I feel the project will help in developing the game in the state.
Present status of football in the state:
Manipur has produced many talented footballers.
However, it is unfortunate that the state does not send a single club to play in the country?s most prestigious tournament, the National Football League.
The problem, I feel, is the lack of sponsor to nurture football clubs. That is the reason why many talented players migrate from Manipur to play for bigger clubs in Goa or Calcutta.
The future of the game here will be very bright if enough facilities are provided in the home state.
On his future career plans:
I will leave no stone unturned to play with a foreign club.
On the prospect of being employed:
I received many job offers but I declined them. I have plenty of football left to play and I want to concentrate on my game for the present.
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