Table of Contents
Introduction
Sanjib Mondal represents United Sports Club of football. He is called the midfield general for his hard-working nature and ability to roam around the ground and send accurate passes to the wards. He was one of the key men whose consistent show guided United Sports to the final phase of the I-league after eight years.
The Beginning
Sanjib hails from Chakbazar in Hooghly district, West Bengal. His father Dulal Mondal was originally a fisherman and now sells fish in the local market. His father has struggled a lot obviously to run his family where he has two more sons and a wife.
Sanjib was inspired by his older brothers to play football since childhood and one of his older brothers Dipak Mondal took him to Bani Chakra Club, Bandel where he got his first coach Ashoke Mondal.
Sanjib remembered,
“I also helped my father in selling fish at the market earlier. We could not have nutritious food as my father somehow managed to run a family that consisted of five members. I had to walk 40 to 45 minutes to reach the Club for practice every day.”
Ashoke Mondal looked after Sanjib along with providing training. During his tutelage, Sanjib had the taste of nutritious food for the first time. While playing for Bani Chakra in a local tournament, Sanjib was presented with a bicycle for the best player’s award.
He added,
“The bicycle gave me quite a relief. I did not have to walk the distance anymore. I used to go to training via bicycle.”
Sanjib finally caught the eyes of Debashis Das, the manager of United Sports, and got a ladder to prosper in his career by starting with the under-15 team of United Sports. Next year, he joined Pathachakra, the other team of United Sports which took part in the Kolkata Premier B-division team and became champions.
The Break and Help
Sanjib suffered from a serious accident, tearing his ligament in 2018. He was ruled out of the pitch for almost one year and after a ligament operation, he returned to United Sports Club in 2019-20 again.
Sanjib revealed,
“I am grateful to Nabab Bhattacharya, director of United Sports Club, and other officials. They had taken care of me. My operation would not have been possible if Nabab sir had not come forward with financial help.”
Sanjib’s Aim
Sanjib now aims at participating in I-league next season to draw the attention of the national coach. He wants to represent senior India. He is a fan of Spanish great Sergio Buskets and tries to follow his style of play.
The Desire of Sanjib Mondal
Sanjib has the desire to take part in ISL ultimately, mainly to increase earnings. Sanjib lamented saying,
“I renovated my house with my small earnings a couple of years ago. But I need to make healthy earnings so that I can run my family and ask my father to take rest from selling fish.”
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