My football dream would be playing for the national team – Naorem Nongdamba Singh

Jamshedpur FC winger Naorem Nongdamba Singh has revealed his football dream is to play for the national team. Singh has represented India at various youth levels but he is yet to receive his maiden call-up for the senior squad.

The 30-year-old midfielder has played eight matches in the ongoing season for Jamshedpur FC but he is yet to find the back of the net. Naorem came through the ranks of the Minerva Punjab FC academy before he was roped in by the Indian Arrows.

Singh scored a solitary goal for the Arrows in the I-League in the 2017-18 season. Subsequently, he played two matches for Punjab FC in the next season. Singh’s best season in the I-league came for Mohun Bagan in 2019-20, when he scored two goals and provided five assists in 16 matches.

After playing in the I-League for three years, Singh was acquired by Kerala Blasters in the ISL in the 2020-21 season but played only three matches for the Yellow Tuskers. The midfielder then played 12 matches for FC Goa in 2021-22 season.

Speaking to Jamshedpur FC, Singh said, “My football dream would be playing for the national team. I have played in the U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels, but for me, my football dream is to represent the (senior) national team — that is my actual dream.”

On the other hand, Singh revealed that his father played an instrumental role in motivating him in the early stages of his football career.

“When I first told my family about starting my football career, everyone was shocked, including my relatives. However, they began to support me when I went to the academy for training,” he said.

“I think the most influential person in my life has been my dad, professionally and personally. Not only for me but for my whole family, my dad has been the most influential person,” he stated.

Singh further said that his father wants him to represent the Blue Tigers at the top level.

Naorem shares the sentiment, saying, “My dad told me if you play for any club, it doesn’t matter unless you can represent your country. That is (and will be) the proudest moment for them and also for me.”