Robin Singh: From bats to boots

Born in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Robin Singh was heavily into sports as a child. At the tender age of nine years, he enrolled in a cricket academy in Noida and represented them at many youth tournaments. During this time he also started playing football under the guidance of former Indian footballer Anadi Barua.

At thirteen years old Robin was made to choose between cricket and football, and he chose cricket. Supported by his parents, he attended St. Stephen’s cricket academy in Chandigarh. Shortly after that, however, fate took him in a very different direction. Singh was selected by the UT Sports Department to join the Chandigarh Football Academy’s senior batch in 2003.

While undergoing training at the academy, he played an important role for them in the Junior Challenge Administrator's Cup Football Tournament and the Pre-Subroto Mukherjee Football Tournament (U-17). It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the then winger, though. In the final of the Subroto Cup in 2005, Robin Singh missed a penalty.

Following the game, he was expelled from the Chandigarh Football Academy. The academy released a statement saying that they were releasing him because he was out of sync with the training programme. Singh didn’t let the expulsion affect him adversely though, using it as a learning experience and working on improving himself.

Speaking to Indian lifestyle website MensXP, he said: “I dealt with the loss in the Subroto Cup finals by making sure I work hard and try my best to never miss a penalty again. When it comes to Chandigarh Football Academy’s decision to axe me after the Subroto Cup, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but my job is to wake up every day with a determination to work harder than the previous day,” he says.

Upon leaving the Chandigarh Football Academy, Singh was taken in at the renowned Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur. It was here that he was converted from a winger into a striker, and was mentored by the well respected Ranjan Chowdhury. After four years at the academy, Robin went to Dubai to train with a United Arab Emirates first division club. He also spent a year in England under the tutelage of ex-Manchester City player Mel Eves.

Singh became the highest-paid cadet to pass out of the Tata Football Academy when he signed a professional contract with Kingfisher East Bengal. It is reported that the club had to spend around Rs. 50 lakhs to sign the player on a two-year contract. He spent three seasons with Kingfisher East Bengal before signing for I-league team Bengaluru FC.

Robin Singh for East Bengal

“East Bengal was my first professional club. I am grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to play for them. My proudest moment is definitely scoring in the derby game against Mohun Bagan AC. They were our biggest rivals and it definitely gave us some bragging rights!”

Singh has represented the Indian national team at U-16, U-23, and senior levels. He has made 24 appearances for the senior side, managing to beat the opposition keeper on four occasions.

“It’s always an honour to play for your country, be it with the under-16 or under-23 teams. Every time I play for the national team, it has been a memorable experience. I wish to be able to do it for as long as I can.”

The 26-year-old is pleased with the improvement in scope and opportunity in football in the country today.

“The biggest hurdle I faced as a kid growing up and wanting to play football was to find an academy to play at. My first academy was four hours away. It did not have the best infrastructure for developing athletes. I am happy to witness so many soccer schools now for young dreamers. Opportunities have definitely come a long way, and there is immense scope.”

Robin Singh has definitely not had it easy to get to where he is today, at the highest level of Indian football. Giving advice on how to become the best versions of ourselves, all he had to say was: “Stay focused, stay strong, be true to your ambition, work hard, and always dream big. Never give up.”