I Will Play As Long As I Can Serve the Country: Renedy Singh

An idol for every aspiring footballer of Manipur, an epitome of hard work and determination and a passionate lover of the game Football. This man’s dream to make it big in life drove him from a small sleepy town of Manipur to walk his way up from TATA Football Academy to East Bengal (Read Clubs) to the National team. Yes it is POTSANGBAM RENEDY SINGH, India,s very own dead ball specialist best remembered for his curling free kicks.

Touted as one of the best mid-fielders to have ever played for India, he is riding high on his superb performance in the Asian Cup. On this note, he spoke at length to BABUA BISWAS about his life, career, experience in the Asian Cup and football in particular.

Renedy Singh

Excerpts:

Babua Biswas (BB): Congratulations for your superb performance in the AFC Asian Cup. How does it feel to be playing the Continents biggest Football Tournament.?Renedy Singh : It really feels great to play such a big tournament. We have qualified after so many years and it’s quite an achievement. We hardly get a chance to play in such big tournaments. Moreover it has been a great learning experience too.

BB: With what mindset did you all take the field in the Asian Cup?

Renedy Singh: We knew we were clubbed with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams of Asia. The only thing in our mind was to give our 100% in the field, not bothering about the outcome. We were determined to give our best shot till the very end and we gave it.

BB: What was the advice from the Coach?Renedy Singh: Our coach (Bob Houghton) motivated us and told us not to give up. He told each one of us to go and play “The Game of Your Life”. He has been the guiding force for all of us since he took over the reign 4 years ago.

BB: What was going in your mind when you took the field against S.Korea after your superb display against Bahrain? Were you determined to repeat your performance?Renedy Singh: Yes I desperately wanted to repeat my performance. When I took the field, I had the zeal to do better than what I had done earlier. It’s not every day that we play against team like South Korea but as luck would have it, I got injured within the first five minutes of the game and I had to be substituted. It was a real difficult and sad time for me.BB: Anyhow we felt that Team India improved a lot and can now take on some good teams. Are you personally satisfied with the team’s performance? Was there any room for further improvement?Renedy Singh: There is always a room for improvement in life. But saying that my team mates have fought tooth and nail and the guys have shown their grit and determination in this tournament. If Coach Bob Houghton continues his stint with the Indian team, I am sure the team will continue to improve. The records are proof enough as to what progress the team has made under him.

BB: The team’s extravagant preparatory camp in Europe prior to the Asian Cup and the team’s humiliating defeat in practice matches drew lots of criticism. What is your take on this issue?Renedy Singh: I would like to say what the AIFF has spent on the team is nothing compared to what the other countries like Korea and Australia spend. If you need results, you need to prepare the team and give them the best infrastructure. When we don’t have a single ground worth training in India, how does one expect us to prepare for the Asian Cup? Even in a country like Qatar, all the clubs have five training ground each, so you do the calculation and work out the difference. In India we don’t have a training ground forget match grounds.

BB: Do you agree that the present set of players representing India are the best available in the country?Renedy Singh: Yes I firmly believe that. Bob has tried many players and he has selected the best.

BB: What is your personal opinion about Bob Houghton as a man, as a coach and his tactics of ‘long ball’ which again drew lot of criticism?Renedy Singh: For me and I can safely speak for the rest of the players when I say he is the best Coach we have played under. Whatever we have achieved till date, the credit goes to him. We can only improve under him. I just hope he remains with the team for the sake of Indian football. We are not bothered about criticism because we will always have critics. We only focus on our matches.

BB: On your personal front you are 31 now, you are at the peak of your career, but injury seems to be bothering you a lot. How long do you intent to play?Renedy Singh: Yes my muscle injury has been a major hiccup for a long time. I am working hard to get rid of it. I will play as long as I feel I can serve the Country.

BB: How do you react to a report calling you an “Old Horse”?Renedy Singh: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It doesn’t bother me.

BB: Your team mate Sunil Chhetri commented, “Renedy is the best midfielder in the country but also the most under-rated and unnoticed Indian footballer”. What you say?Renedy Singh: Sunil is doing very well for himself and it’s nice that he feels that way.

BB: Bhaichung is opening a Soccer School and forming a Club? Do you intent to do something on that line?Renedy Singh: Right now I just want to focus on my performance. I cannot predict what is going to happen in the future. I will think about that when I am done with playing career.

BB: Why not forming a club in Manipur capable of playing the I-League?Renedy Singh : I haven’t given a thought about that. Moreover forming a club is not very difficult but finding a sponsor with a long term goal is very tough. Also because of the Socio-Political tension prevailing in Manipur, it becomes a very difficult prospect.

BB: Four players from Manipur represent the India Senior, Two represents the Under 23 and there is none in the Under 16 team. Do you think talent pool is drying up in Manipur or are they not being spotted?Renedy Singh: There are five players from Manipur in the Indian team at the moment. Yes, lately I don’t see any young players coming up from my state. I think the Manipur Football Association has to look into it and take necessary measures. They need to promote talented players before there is no player in the National Team representing the State.

BB: What more can be done to improve Indian Football?Renedy Singh: We have been doing well since the last four years; we just need to continue with the same routine and under Bob Houghton.

BB: On Gouramangi being awarded the Player of the Year.Renedy Singh: I am very happy for him. He is a very deserving candidate for that award and my best wishes are with him.

BB: Which club will you play for this season?Renedy Singh: I am in talk with a few clubs at the moment. It will take a week before I sign the dotted line.

BB: Your future plan: Short term and long term.Renedy Singh: Like I said earlier, I want to be fit, continue playing as long as I can perform. The future planning comes after that.

BB: What message would you like to give to the youths?Renedy Singh : If by youths you mean aspiring footballers, then I would tell them to give their 100% in every training session. When you give your best, it will reflect on your performance. You can’t have a good match without training hard.

BB: When are you planning to settle down with Doenka?Renedy Singh: (Laugh) Very soon. The wedding is in July.

(Special Thanks to Doenka Rachel Bhutia for arranging this Interview.)