Jackichan takes a step to stardom

So, what is in a name? In T Jackichan Singh8217;s case, quite a lot, an apparent spelling error notwithstanding. The stocky Manipuri lad has got it all: spectacular kicks, lightning-quick reflexes and speed.

Named after Hollywood star Jackie Chan, the Manipur lad bags Subroto Cup8217;s 8216;Player of the Tournament8217; award

So, what is in a name? In T Jackichan Singh8217;s case, quite a lot, an apparent spelling error notwithstanding. The stocky Manipuri lad has got it all: spectacular kicks, lightning-quick reflexes and speed. Unlike his filmstar namesake, however, Subroto Cup8217;s Player of the Tournament employs them to floor opponents on a football turf.

While his skills leave rival defenders with no answer, Jackichan himself draws a blank when asked why he was so christened. A long-distance call to his mother, Telem Ibemcha Devi, back home in Imphal, brings a semblance of clarity. She says she named him after Jackie Chan as she wanted him to become famous.

Wish granted. The Army Boys Bangalore midfielder scored five goals in as many matches, including one in the final against Mizoram, and set up a number of others in the tournament to help his team capture the under-17 title.

This despite the fact that he claims he fared badly in the title clash. 8220;I was loose during the match. The award distracted me. I knew I8217;m going to get it as the organisers had taken me for the registration of the two-wheeler for the best player,8221; says Singh, who assisted Tej Kumar Singh in scoring the first goal for Army Boys and then netted the winner from an indirect kick from the right corner of the box.

Selectors Ranjit Thapa, Anadi Barua and Kallol Chakroborty, voting players separately and on different parameters, chose Singh unanimously, saying that there was no competition for the seventeen-year old.

8220;He wasn8217;t at his best during the final, but we didn8217;t need to calculate much while choosing him,8221; says Thapa.

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8220;He scored in all the matches, even when he wasn8217;t at his best. His special ability is creating chances from very small areas, small angles, like Thursday8217;s first goal. He can beat any player in one-on-one position,8221; says Barua. Thapa quickly adds to Barua8217;s point, saying, 8220;He is an opportunist. Give him the slightest of chance, and he will make you pay.8221;

Singh8217;s 41st minute strike in the final seemed to have inspired Thapa8217;s late, but significant observation.

Coach Venugopal dismisses Jackichan Singh8217;s small stature as disadvantageous, drawing comparison with Sunil Chettri on height. 8220;He8217;s isn8217;t tall enough for his position. But that8217;s irrelevant. Look at Sunil Chettri, he is the shortest, but is the main player in India8217;s strike force.8221;

Meanwhile, after ducking the unforeseen media glare, Singh tries doing a Jackie Chan driving the two-wheeler with four of his team mates. On stopping, after a few ground officials complained to the coach, he promises to come with a better reason next time for his name. As for his future, Singh says he would love to play for Churchill Brothers. But why not Mohun Bagan or East Bengal? He says, he doesn8217;t like their names.