" We decide our results", Akash speaks about his early football days, life lessons and FIIOB!

Akash Choubey, Captain of FIIOB Football Team, Kolkata, has been a busy man during this lockdown period.

He has even arranged sessions for the coaches of the team to share his learning during certification of grassroot coaching from Jamshedpur FC. However, amongst all these, he took his time out to share his feeling with us. So, here we go!

Tell us about your early days of football.

I don’t really remember who influenced me to play football; maybe the local football coach, a video that I watched or when I first got a football on my 9th birthday. When I was young, I used to play both cricket and football but by the time I was 12, my inclination towards football shifted. From kicking a tennis ball to playing with plastic bottles in the classroom, I was kicking everything possible. I joined a training camp organized by Tinplate Company Of India Limited, a TATA enterprise. I was the captain of my school football team. In 2012, I signed for a professional team, Jamshedpur Boys Club, which participated in the local league named JSA league. I had started my journey as a Central Forward. I remember I was placed on the starting XI after a practice match where I scored a hat-trick against TATA Football Academy. Those where some rich days of my life and yeah, I can say more than it is now. I have always enjoyed kicking the ball and always tried copying professional footballers to every extent I could.

So when and how did you end up in Kolkata ?

I came to Kolkata to complete my further studies. Kolkata and Goa are considered as heritage of football in India. Truly speaking, I had no idea about the study pattern that was followed in Kolkata but was well aware that I was going to take my football career to some other level once I am there. Also because many of my school mates were opting for the same place. I convinced my parents about studying in Kolkata and in 2014, I ended up in this city to persuade both the trades.

How did you join FIIOB ?

My footballing journey in Kolkata has been very interesting. I have played with some of the best teams in the amateur circuit including Gore United and WAM FC. I had come across the team FIIOB a lot of time in various tournaments. I liked the way they worked like a team on and off the pitch - from team attire to the coordination with which they played. It reflected how well practiced they are. To be honest, there are very few teams who practice with such discipline and with such attitude toward the game. Their professionalism was admirable and I wanted to be a part of it. In 2018, I joined the club's senior side after going through selection process.

The initial period in FIIOB was a struggle for you. You failed to perform at your level best but then we saw that curve gradually increasing in terms of performance. What changed it ?

Yes, the initial days were a bit struggle for me. When I came in, I saw there were top players for all positions. At that moment I couldn’t recognizing my role in the team which created a sense of panic in me, and reflected in my game. I remember asking Sayan da after a playing a tournament in Garia whether to consult a psychiatrists for the mental condition that I was going through. But as time passed by, I did not only improvised my skills but also learned how to fight with that mental pressure. I had people around me who believed in me and with that support and love, I pulled myself up.

What was the feeling when you got to know that you are going to be the captain of FIIOB ?

Of course I was happy! I was proud of myself and at the same time shocked because I wasn’t expecting this responsibility, just cause there were people who understood and performed same responsibility in much better way.

But I am ready to repay the faith has been shown. The best thing here is, even before I was appointed as a captain my team would listen to me if I put something forward. Here everyone is equally valued. I am very fortunate to have this responsibility and I look forward to make every single thing count.

Harman and Belawal were the Captains for the team for last few years. Now you and Anirban has taken up the role where those two look after different things in the team now, more like things related to team management. Does it gives a feel that you don't have enough freedom as a Captain ?

How is the experience to work with the former Captains, especially when they still have an important role in managing the team ?

No, absolutely not! I am not bounded by any norms. I have full freedom to put my opinion and I also take decisions if I feel that will influence the team performance.

The experience is absolutely fantastic. They are great players. Harman, as Belawal mentioned in earlier interview, is absolute class when comes to space creating and playmaking. On other hand Belawal is a prolific finisher, all-time top scorer of FIIOB. I would always love to keep those roles assigned to them, no matter who is the captain. I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to learn from their experience.

How this team has impacted your life as a footballer as well as a human being ?

If I try to recall my life associating with a team before joining FIIOB, I would say my experience was incomplete about how a team sticks together though thick and thin. I had been part of different teams in Bengal and in Jharkhand but what I nurtured from FIIOB is priceless and it's not only about being a good team player but also in a sense which affected the way I make decisions in my real life.

Discipline, hardwork, fighting spirit, skills are some areas where I improved. The most significant aspect I learned was the winning mentality. It's no more that "we play our best, till the last whistle and leave the results on fate", if we are best we have to win. We decide our results and not leave it on fate. I fight with my abilities 2x after realising the fact that I have put rather taught by our mentor Rajjo da and make the most out of it not only in the field but also in my day to day achievements.

What are your future plans ?

Apart from football, I am pursuing my Diploma Degree from Kolkata, I wish to get placed at the same city and make my place intact in the club. That’s all I wish for the moment.

While Akash is pursuing his sports management, he is playing an instrumental role in our upcoming project of setting up a baby team. Given the values he hold, the character he is, we have no doubt that the team is in safe hands.

| Interviewed by Rajarshi |