Photo Courtesy: AIFF Media

“It was way back in 2010 that I had sung my National Anthem playing for the India U-19 National side. And then it happened in Guwahati when National Coach Stephen Constantine felt me good enough for the job,” Sandesh Jhingan echoed at a Media Interaction in Bengaluru on Tuesday (June 9). “The moment gave me goosebumps.”

That separates the best from the rest. The rest play, the best represent his Country.

“Stephen Constantine is such an inspirational man. He always demands discipline – on and off the pitch. He is a great motivator besides being a shrewd tactician. His talks gives me goosebumps,” he added.

That separates the best from the rest. The rest Coach; the best inspires and motivates you further.

“The other day Constantine took us to the Army Training Centre. It was a test of our psyche. When we first saw our Army jawans demonstrating, we all were shocked. But we went out of our comfort zone and took it on,” Jhingan, reflected.

“Constantine was one among the first to take up the challenge. That was an inspiration, an eye opener. Given his age, he raised the stakes. He just didn’t order. He led us. The first step was difficult. But once into it, you carried on.”

That separates the best from the rest. The rest asks you to do it, the best leads.

“Against Oman, we need to be realistic and optimistic at the same time. Having possession for any Team always matters but it doesn’t always guarantee you success,” Jhingan opined. “It’s important to remember the instructions – both when you have, and don’t have the ball.”

“It’s a tough group. Oman are a very good side. But if you want to dream, you should never be afraid. We need to believe in the system, our abilities. The entire Team needs to dream big.”

“I am still a learner. You need to be consistent and for that, you need to be disciplined.”

Referring to his earlier injuries, Jhingan mentioned the “period taught me to get mentally tougher.”

“Even when you are down and out, you need to think positive. That’s the time where self doubts start creeping in. Obviously I was upset when I had to sit out. But now I need to deal with it. My brother has been a big pillar of strength in my life,” he informed.

There will be downs in everyone’s life. And for Jhingan, the loss in the Hero ISL Final came as a big disappointment. But his philosophy changed thereafter, courtesy a small realistic one-liner from Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

“Understandably we were depressed and that’s when someone put an arm on my shoulder. It was Tendulkar himself.”

“Get over it. It took me six attempts to win the World Cup,” he had stated.

“And it came from the best ever; perhaps the bestest,” Jhingan pronounced. “I understood that you can never quit from dreaming.”

That separates the best from the rest. The rest may quit but the best will always carry on.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)