JCT’s purpose behind not recruiting "foreigners"

Indeed, it was certainly a poor show by JCT standards. More than that, JCT were opening their campaign afresh against a team that was carrying the champion tag. And just not that. The team from Calcutta had lined-up a star-studded brigade for the show, while JCT had to do without whatever stars they had with them last season.

The JCT forward line, consisting of the two Nigerians Stephan Abarowie and Emeka Achilefu, presented a void after the two left looking for greener pastures. Stephan has since joined a local club in China and Emeka switched over to the country’s second professional side, Bengal Mumbai Football Club. These losses had raised quite a few doubts in the minds of the game’s followers, both within and without.

With every one wondering about the fate of the club, including suggestions that it might go the way its hockey team, the JCT officials had planned something else. To start with, they did not recruit any foreigners’ and just fielded a fresh, young team for the opening game against Bagan.

“Punjab has talent in abundance and it is high time we recognised them,” reasoned JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh. “Along the way, we might lose some matches but the youngsters will learn through experience,” the coach added. He actually got some talented players this time, most of them being fresh graduates from the various universities in Punjab. And that explains the mind of JCT not going for foreigners’ this time around.

If it was Hardip Singh Saini, who caught everybody’s attention last year with his speed, skill and performance, this year there are two more his ilk Hardip Gill and Hardip Sangha. And without doubt, the last two have impressed in their very first outing. In fact, Gill was given a standing ovation by the Ambedkar Stadium crowd for his brilliant display against Bagan.

No doubt, they have some prominent youngsters in their ranks, which include the Tata Football Academy duo of Deepak Mandal and Deepankar Roy. For goalkeeper Virender Singh, who is still a beginner in the side, this season could come in handy. He did not get a chance last year to show his talent as Arvind Kumar, the team’s first choice, was preferred over him. With Arvind leaving JCT, the immensely talented Virender Singh is all set to make a mark for himself.

The hard task master that he is, Sukhwinder can be sure that the current crop will definitely make waves in the coming years. As an elated follower of JCT’s fortunes commented after the match, “This is what you call swadeshi versus multinational.” He was obviously hinting at Bagan that has lined-up big sponsors, besides five foreign players for the current season.

JCT sprang another surprise when it opted Ludhiana as the venue, ahead of Delhi, for their home’ matches despite that fact that the ground in Ludhiana does not conform to the standards set by the All India Football Federation. But JCT chose Ludhiana with a purpose.

“We know the matches there won’t attract the kind of crowd one normally sees in Delhi. But we will be happy if family members of the players and a few others come and watch. It will give the players immense satisfaction and encouragement,” says Sukhwinder.

For the enthusiastic bunch of JCT, the NFL should provide the kind of chance they have been looking for. It will not only hone the skills of the players but also will enable them to show their ability and impress the odd national selectors, who come to the venues. It is time that focus shifted from the Calcutta maidans to Punjab, from where the supply line began once. Now it is up to this talented bunch to lift Punjab to its old glory.