BeyondBooks: Passion, discipline and a love for the field

He is in Class VIII and loves playing all kinds of sports. But his passion lies in playing football. Whenever there’s a chance, he joins in because he enjoys being active and feels happiest on the field. Meet Gurshaan Singh of Apeejay School, Rama Mandi. In a candid interview, he shares that he started playing when he was much younger; it has been four to five years now. “Slowly, the game became more serious for me, and I kept improving,” he said.

The skills football has taught you.

Training has taught me how to play properly. I’ve learnt control, discipline and the basics of teamwork. I know dribbling, shooting and other basic techniques. I’m still learning new things in every session. I’ve always been disciplined from the beginning. Playing sports teaches you to stay focused and follow a routine, and it also helps you stay confident during matches.

What does your daily routine look like?

I wake up at 6 in the morning, get ready and go to school. After school, I usually go for practice in the evening. To balance my passion with studies, I catch up with schoolwork on my off days, like Saturday and Sunday. I try to finish everything on time so I can give my full attention to football.

Is there any coach or player who inspires you?

Yes, we have a coach in our village who trains us every evening. I’ve learnt shooting and proper practice routines from him. I also follow players like Ronaldo and Messi. I enjoy carrying the ball, running with it and scoring. I play as a left winger and love creating chances for my team.

Have you played at the national level?

Yes, I played at the national level in Jaipur. It was a great experience because I got to compete with stronger teams. I’ve played in both the U-13 and U-16 categories and won the U-16 game.