Keeping scores of faith

With true-blue Punjabi blood running through his six foot four frame, a man of simple words, even simpler thoughts and a calm mind — Gurpreet Singh Sandhu does not hold anything back when it comes to his 24-year journey of life. Gurpreet takes every question thrown at him to heart, much like how the Indian football custodian does when his opponents blast the ball towards the castle he guards. An amiable conversation is inevitable when one strikes a friendly chord with him.

It is not every day that an Indian footballer makes headlines, and a goalkeeper is often the last to do so. Gurpreet has become one such rarity as his ground-breaking career reached its most notable milestone when he featured in the UEFA Europa League. From a police family, Gurpreet started for Norwegian club, Stabaek FC, based in Tippeligaen when they took on Welsh club Connah’s Quay Nomads FC in a Europa League qualifier last month. This made him only the fifth Indian to play in Europe professionally, but the first-ever to play in the starting XI of a top division European club.

The fact that Sandhu is also the first ever Indian on the Europa League stage, a rung below the Champions League, is unbelievable for many. Agrees SAFF Cup winner Gurpreet, “I think it is something that no one ever imagined. It is quite a big thing and I hope people realise that. It is motivating for young and aspiring footballers. If I can do it, others can do it too, for sure.” The Indian sports arena has witnessed most from the northern part of India unleash their physical presence in wrestling and boxing over the years and football is perhaps the last option a chiseled lad like Gurpreet would resort to. So this union is unconventional in more ways than one.

“I didn’t choose football, instead football chose me. During my childhood, I never used to watch football and did not know much about  the sport. It was only when I joined St Stephen’s Academy in Chandigarh that I learned more about it,” Gurpreet explained, adding, “I did well at the academy, youth football and Punjab Under-16 teams. Only then I realised that I could go all the way to play for India.”

Still in his infancy as an Indian international, Gurpreet draws great inspiration from former Manchester United custodian Dutch Edwin van der Saar, someone who Sandhu believes is similar to him in terms of physical stature. “I have always looked up to Edwin van der Saar (for inspiration). I used to watch and observe his game a lot. We have a similar height and physique. So, I relate to him a lot,” the Super Cup winner revealed.

Gurpreet strikes a pose Every successful person owes a lot to his family’s support, dedication and sacrifice and Gurpreet is no exception. His father Tajinder Singh Sandhu is a DSP with the Punjab Police and mother Harjit Kaur an inspector with the Chandigarh Police. Gurpreet says he has learnt lessons of life from his father. “My father has played a very important part in the early stages of my footballing career because he himself is a big football enthusiast and was a good player back in his time. He gave me the push to make it as a professional. I am very thankful to him,” acknowledges Gurpreet.

Athletes playing at his level have to be in top shape all the time and ultra-conscious of their diets, but this does not deter Gurpeet from tucking into butter chicken, his favourite. Punjabi folk music especially from Gurdas Maan soothes his senses. But his entertainment preferences transcend Punjab’s boundaries and its colourful culture, as Gurpreet is fond of Bollywood movies and stars. Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and heart-throb Deepika Padukone impress the lanky custodian the most.

He also likes playing on his playstation, loves to cook and watch sitcoms. Gurpreet says he is concentrating on his football. However, his first evening at the prestigious Europa League was cut short by a hand injury that saw him off the field sooner than expected. But, this is just the start, a whole galaxy of opportunities await him, one feels.

Quick bytes

Height: 6’4”
Favourite Movies: Sholay, Lakshay, PK, 3 Idiots, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Favourite Sport (other than football): T20 cricket
Favourite cricketers: M.S Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar
Favourite holiday destination: Leh and Ladakh