City’s Super boy Hitesh kicks off to a promising career

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 6

He is barely 20 and has a face that can confuse anyone with an ordinary college student. But beware of his innocent looks as is a daredevil football player who, in the recent times, has become a scare for the attackers playing in the Indian Super league.

Meet Hitesh Sharma, Jalandhar-based player who represents the Mumbai ATS Club in the Indian Super league. The young midfielder was picked by ATK in the Indian Player Draft before the 2017-18 seasons and he went on to impress in an attacking role during the season. Recently, the ATS ATK has extended the contract of Hitesh Sharma by two years.

So, how does it feel to play in the Super Football League? “The journey from the PAP ground at Jalandhar to the Super league ground was quite a struggle and full of sacrifices. Now, playing there is like a dream come true for me,” said Hitesh.

While he has come home on a practice break, the little daredevil leaves no day to play with the young players of DAV Public School, his alma mater back home.

“I started playing at a very young age of eight and used to travel alone for my practice sessions. Even though my neighbours and close relatives used to prevent my parents from allowing me to travel alone in buses and highways, they kept on trusting my capabilities and the ability to take care of myself,” said Hitesh.

Talking on his journey to the Indian Super league., he said, “After playing for my alma mater, my coach Tapas Batawal took me to the trails for the Chandigarh Football Academy. After spending five years there, I was selected for Football academy. Later, playing for the Indian Football League, I am playing the Indian Super League for the last three years,” said Sharma.

He added that even though the practice session of a professional football player is of not more than three hours a day, the planning to prepare for those three hours is the most challenging task for him.

“It ranges from your daily exercise routines, diet plans, teaching classes, technical skills and other attributes to be a professional player,” said Sharma, who is the first-generation player in his family . His father retired from the LIC and his elder brother is a commissioned officer in the Army.

Any memories of Jalandhar? “Even though I belong to the city, I rarely remember the places except the PAP ground where I used to practice after my school. To achieve something, you need to sacrifice your leisure time as well,” said the young boy.

What if not a football player? “I would have preferred to join Army like my brother.

Which profession can be better than serving the nation with your sweat and blood?” said the daredevil.

How do you rate the opportunities that are presently being available to football players in the state? “While some football clubs like Minerva and Rurka Kalan are doing well in sharpening the players’ talents, there are no inter-club tournaments for them at the state level.” said Hitesh. 

Being a player, what do you miss the most? “I miss spending quality time with my family. I also miss eating sweets in my diet plans,”he  revealed.