The winger gets candid about his plans for Jamshedpur FC, the fans and facilities
To the joy of all the football fans in the Jharkhand, Jamshedpur FC announced the completion of signing Indian National Team winger, Jackichand Singh.
The experienced midfielder decided to move on after two very successful seasons with his former club, FC Goa. He comes with more hunger than ever to help Jamshedpur FC bolster not only their midfield department but also bring some much-awaited success to the club.
Jacki, as he is fondly known as, spoke to the media after completing his move. Here is a transcript of what he had to say:
What convinced you to accept the offer from the club?
Jamshedpur FC is a fantastic club with excellent infrastructure and training facilities. It’s a great city for football. I had asked some of the former players about it, and they spoke highly about the overall structure. So when the offer came, there was no doubt in my mind. I want to thank the management for giving me this excellent opportunity. Another reason that I can think of is the weather of Jamshedpur. I remember when I used to travel for the away matches; I used to love the weather. One of the great things about this club is the fandom. The fans are one of the many reasons that convinced me to take up the offer. While this year, I will not be able to play in front of them as the tournament will be held in Goa. But, I have signed a three-year contract, and I hope things will be fine from 2021 so that I can meet the amazing fans of the club and play our battles at The Furnace.
Why do you feel Jamshedpur is good for football?
The city has good football history. People love football here. I remember when I was playing for FC Goa, I used to visit Jamshedpur for the away matches. The fans would come to watch the training sessions and chant my name.
Also, we all are aware of the legacy of the Tata Football Academy (TFA). The Academy has been here for 33 years producing top-notch players for a long time now. I even got to know very recently that there is a 75-year-old football league called JSA League with over 40 teams playing every year. The city is immense in terms of football, and I am proud to represent it.
How do you feel about reuniting with your national teammates?
It’s a great feeling! Jamshedpur FC has some exciting talents like Amarjit Singh and Narender Gahlot, and I have been playing with them for the national team for a while now. So yes, it is great to team up with them and play again.
Jamshedpur FC has not been able to reach the playoffs in the past three years. Will that change with you coming in?
Yes, I hope so. And even though Jamshedpur hasn’t reached the playoffs, they did always have a good team. During my two years with FC Goa, I have faced Jamshedpur FC multiple times, and they have always given us fierce competition, except for the last match where Goa beat them 5-0. They had won twice, drawn and lost once when I was with FC Goa. So now, I aim to make sure that we will be even better than before.
On leaving FC Goa…
It was a personal decision. I had a successful time there, and they will be playing the AFC Champions League. I wish them the best of luck for the future.
Changing teams also means a change of coach. Does that affect your game?
Our job is to keep practicing and keep working hard to help the team win. As a professional, I have to adjust, learn, and play as per the instructions given by the head coach. I am excited to play under Owen Coyle. We saw what he did with Chennaiyin FC. His playing style suits mine, and I know I will be able to perform well under his guidance.
What’s the story behind your name?
My parents are fans of Jackie Chan, and that’s how they named me. I didn’t even know this till I was 13-years-old. I was playing Subroto Cup U-14, and during a press interview, the media asked me to call and ask my parents why my name is Jackichand. That is when they revealed that my name is after the legendary Jackie Chan.
You have tattoos of your wife and son on your hand. Is it challenging to stay away from family?
Yes, it isn’t easy to stay away from them. But now I am accustomed to it. It’s been like this since I was a teenager playing in the Armed Boys Sports Academy in Shillong. Being away from my family would often make me feel lonely, so yes, it was difficult during the initial years. But, as I grew and became a professional, it got better.
What do you do when you’re not training for football?
A long time ago, one of my coaches told me, “You train for 2 hours a day only, but you also have to take care of yourself for the remaining 22 hours.” To this day, I follow that rule. I keep a check on what I eat and drink when I am training. Of course, it’s different when I am home as the eating restrictions get automatically lifted. But otherwise, during the season, our diet and nutrition is stringent. In the past few years, our country has seen the right amount of scientific work going into helping the athletes perform their best by following a healthy lifestyle.
Do you like any movies and music?
I am not into movies that much. My friends and family occasionally take me out for movies, but that’s the extent of it.
I do listen to music while I’m travelling to training sessions and matches.
Message to the fans of Jamshedpur given that you’re an essential signing for the club…
Jamshedpur FC is very hungry to reach the playoffs. So, I am going to give it my all to reach there. This year, the tournament is happening in Goa, so I won’t be able to see them. I will truly miss their presence. But, hopefully, the COVID situation will be over by next year, and I will be able to perform in front of them.
