NEW DELHI, June 7: Sandesh Jhingan might be among the biggest names in Indian football right now, but there was a time when the brawny defender was rejected by even third division clubs and he is grateful for that phase as it made him work harder.
Jhingan, who has made 36 appearances for India so far, revealed that he was rejected by a lot many second and third division clubs in Kolkata.
�It was during the starting phase of my career. Back then I was looking for clubs and I appeared for quite a few trials at a number of clubs in Kolkata � even in the second and third divisions. But I was rejected by all,� Jhingan revealed in a chat with AIFF TV.
�That is when I realised that I had to work harder in order to realise my dream,� he said.
He was eventually �picked-up by United Sikkim Football Club.�
�That really was a dream come true for me. A couple of months back, I had been rejected by so many clubs in Kolkata, and now I was joking with Renedy Bhai and Bhaichung Bhai,� Jhingan stated.
�We used to train under coach Stanley Rozario when we saw Renedy (Singh) Bhai taking some freekicks,� he recalled. � PTI
