Chinglensana Singh is a quiet operator in the Indian midfield – the 24-year-old has adapted well in the midfield considering the fact that he started off as a forward. Mentored by former Indian player Brojen Singh, the Manipuri youngster, battled the odds stacked against him and has emerged as a handy member of the national team.
Chinglensana, who has the experience of the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games under his belt, spoke about his game and much more in an exclusive interview.
Here are the excerpts:
Q: Tell us a bit about your early days in hockey – a journey which started in your home state Manipur.
I used to play football in my school days in Imphal but gradually I developed a liking for hockey. I started playing hockey in 2001 for local club MEIRAA, and gradually started taking part in the state-level tournaments at the junior level. I got the opportunity to represent Manipur in the under-14 Inter-School Hockey Tournament in New Delhi in 2006.
Q: Former Indian player Brojen Singh has had a big influence on you taking up hockey. Elaborate.
I owe a lot to former Indian player Brojen Singh, who did a lot for me in my initial days as I did not come from a well-to-do family. Brojen uncle provided me sticks, shoes, shorts and t-shirts besides training me in my pursuit to become a hockey player. Today, whatever little I have achieved, it would have not been possible without his support. I also got a lot of help from my mother, mama and mami (my mother’s brothers and their wives).
Q: Your power-packed performance in the under-14 Inter-School Hockey Tournament in New Delhi in 2006 caught the attention of the top-brass of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) Hockey Academy, who invited you for trials shortly.
I performed quite well in the under-14 Inter-School Hockey Tournament in New Delhi. Coached at the PNB Hockey Academy, who invited me for trials and subsequently I and Herojit got picked among those called for trials.
Q: You left the PNB Hockey Academy after just one year – any reason for that?
I had family issues on account of which I needed to stay in Manipur – I started training hard under Brojen uncle and went to play for Assam at the 2009 National Games in Guwahati.
Q: 2009 was the turning point of your hockey career as it got a significant lift.
I turned out for Assam in the 2009 National Games as my home state Manipur did not qualify on that occasion. Soon, I got an offer to play in the Mumbai Hockey League for Customs. My stint in the Mumbai Hockey League helped me to land a job in Western Railway. I represented Railways in the 2010 Surjit Singh Hockey Tournament, where I was declared the best player of the tournament.
Q: You started off as a forward but now play in different positions.
Modern hockey is all about adapting to different situations – I have played as a forward, in midfield as well as in defence.
Q: You have played under four foreign coaches – Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh, Paul van Ass and Roelant Oltmans.
All of them have their different ways of coaching – it was an opportunity to learn from each of them.
Q: You made your senior international debut at the 2011 Champions Challenge Tourney in South Africa, where you scored on your debut tie.
I fondly recall the game against Belgium which we drew 3-3 and I scored one of the three goals – I still remember I slammed home a rebound. Of course, Belgium beat us 4-3 with a final minute goal in the final, which we all remember.
Q: You have the experience of playing in the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games – you have been a member of the national team for all the tournaments held in 2015. Do you think you have cemented your spot in the side?
I don’t think like that – for me it’s all about improving my game and help my team do well. I’m still learning in terms of improving ball passing and taking hits.
Q: As a member of the Indian team, which is one area the team needs to focus on among others?
I think we take things lightly and make mistakes in the first ten minutes of play or the first quarter, and if we can tighten that area we will be tough to be beat. We have a talented side which can go places in future.
