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Barely a week after his bicycle was stolen, East Bengal player Jobby Justin got a brand new bicycle presented to him by the club, as a gift for winning the Kolkata Derby last Sunday.
Quess East Bengal CEO Sanjit Sen and club official Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar handed over the key and the bicycle to Justin after the training session on Friday. The Keralite was visibly delighted with the prize and had a short ride with his new vehicle in front of the motley group of supporters.
The new B-twin Bicycle is manufactured by Decathlon company and is ranged between 14,000 to 16,000 rupees. After receiving the gift, Justin thanked his club and the officials and also the supporters who showed their love and support during the crucial time.
“For a Kerala boy to get so much love and respect is just so amazing. Something I only imagined in my dreams. It’s like so much of a buzz playing in front of the QEB fans, they are like our 12th man it really gives me so much pride to be a part of this club,” Justin said.
“The club itself and coach have supported me and given me chances to show who the real Jobby Justin is. One thing I can assure you is that there is more to come. For them to gift me this cycle is so humbling. It really shows me how much they care,” Justin added.
Justin, who doesn’t own a motorbike or car, comes to the training sessions on his bicycle from his flat, 10 minutes away from the Salt Lake Training Ground. The striker bought an X Bicycle with Air Dual disc brakes and Zoom suspension just about a month ago.
He regularly posted pictures on the social media, where he was seen cleaning and maintaining the vehicle. The Bicycle was very close to his heart. Justin said he will now be more cautious as this is a gift from the club and supporters, “Maybe I’ll take my cycle into the training ground with me so I can keep watch even during practice.”
Two days ahead of the Kolkata Derby, Justin along with other teammates, gathered into a city hotel as instructed by coach Alejandro Menendez. Upon returning home after his inspiring performance in the Derby, Justin found his Bicycle went missing from the flat.
He posted a picture of him riding the Bicycle on social media website Instagram asking the supporters to help him out to find the prized possession. However, on the insistence of the supporters, East Bengal officials promised to give a new Bicycle to Justin after his heroics against Mohun Bagan.
East Bengal will be playing Neroca FC at home on February 7 in a crucial match. A win will help them to club into the second position of the I-League table. Justin, who became the fourth Indian footballer to score in both the legs of Kolkata Derby in I-League, will be looking to add his tally against Neroca.
The Imphal-based club have roped in Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyeltsen from Bengaluru FC on loan for the remainder of the season. They remained on fifth with 25 points from 15 matches after registering 3-2 win against Indian Arrows on Friday.
