Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
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The 2021-22 edition of the Indian Super League is not too far away now and the preparations are in full flow for Manolo Marquez’s men. After the heartbreak, late last season, every player at the club is now determined to push a bit more and help each other turn into the best version of themselves before the start of the new campaign.
Hyderabad FC have a host of youngsters brimming with confidence, waiting to impress at the biggest stage. But the importance of the level heads, the experienced players at the club, cannot be undermined.
One such player, who is as crucial on the field as he is off it, is winger Halicharan Narzary.
Having grown up tasting international football early in his career, the Assamese speedster is no stranger to the pressure of top-flight football. Having crossed 5,300 Indian Super League minutes, Hali was often a catalyst in the final third for Hyderabad last season, registering four goals in 20 games, standing as one of the top Indian goalscorers in the season.
And it is no surprise that he is currently enjoying his time at Hyderabad FC. “The first season with Hyderabad FC was pretty special and personally, being here with the club has been amazing since the start,” said the 27-year-old.
However, Narzary did not have the easiest of starts to his career and struggled to even make ends meet at a young age. But even in those struggles, football was a part of his everyday life.
“I was born in a really poor family where we struggled for food every single day. But interestingly, even as I was just learning to walk, my father taught me football with a pomelo fruit from our garden, as we were not able to afford a football.”
But things changed when he was called up for India U-16 trials in his hometown that allowed him a shot at trials in Delhi for the National youth team. “I used to work anywhere possible to feed my family while playing the game I love whenever possible. One lucky day, I got selected for the national team and here I am today. That day was a real turning point in my life,” Hali recollected.
With a real inspiring story behind him, the Kokrajhar-born winger is someone many youngsters in the squad look up to, even when away from the game.
Constantly chirping, constantly keeping his teammates engaged, Hali is a person who can make you feel stronger even with a small chat. The raw energy he has while keeping calm even when things don’t go his way sets a real example for the entire squad.
His untiring work rate is there for everyone to see but what most don’t see is how he is happy to sacrifice or even play through pain if his team needs. This attitude saw him play every game for us last season and Hali is thankful to Coach Manolo Marquez for the same.
“Manolo is a good coach and I am really lucky to be able to learn from him. He is friendly and always happy to help which is really good for every player in our squad.”
Halicharan Narzary is a celebrity in his native Assam. Having already given a lot back to the football community in the state, he is also hopeful that the youngsters all over the country can make a mark in the sport.
“Young players who want to play professional football should watch every game and try and learn from the players. The ISL and I-League are really good platforms for youngsters giving them chances and I think this is really important in our country at the moment that players with talent get their opportunities,” Hali said.
Hyderabad FC’s No. 19 has been in sparkling form in pre-season creating chances galore and he will surely play a key role for Hyderabad FC in the upcoming season.
But what Hali adds to the dressing room is easily as important. There is a lot to learn from him, starting from his approach to everything in life. Characters like him are contagious and only make the group stronger.
“I always wanted to be a good player, but more importantly a good human being and that is what I was always taught. So it is important for us to learn, make ourselves better, and work on our weaknesses everyday, on and off the field.”
Speaking to the supporters of the club who have been loyal even through tough times, Hali said, “I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for the continuous love they have shown since I joined the club.”
“We all promise to work as hard as we can to have an even better season this time around,” he added.
