NEW DELHI, June 15: Former India football captain Gouramangi Singh has discovered a new passion for organic farming, which is keeping the ex-defender physically and mentally fresh during the COVID-19 enforced lockdown.
Currently with his family in Imphal due to the prevailing coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, Gouramangi has spent the break from football expanding his kitchen garden by growing different varieties of vegetables with his siblings.
�We have a small patch of land, less than an acre. It is some walking distance from our house.
�We had a kitchen garden there for the last two years and over the lockdown period, my siblings and I have tried to expand it and grow different varieties of vegetables � such as chillies, turmeric, ginger, squash, corn, karela (bitter gourd), pumpkin, lauki (bottle guard),� Gouramangi told www.the-aiff.com.
The former defender, who is currently the head coach of Hero 2nd Division League side FC Bengaluru United, added the experience has benefited him to make good use of the newly-found free time.
�It has been a really positive experience and I have enjoyed it a lot. Working on the garden is always fun. We try to spend a few hours there every day. Laying the beds, planting the seeds, watering the plants and plucking the vegetables � it is all so satisfying, especially when our hard work bears fruit,� he said.
�It is a nice way to stay fresh � both physically and mentally. It also ensures that we are eating healthy and also allows us to spend quality time with family,� he added. � PTI
