“Sports is synonymous within the Singh family. And I am blessed to have received such support since I started playing” – Dhruv Vikram Singh

Excelling in sports seems to have become a family tradition in Dhruv’s family. The tradition started back when his grandfather became a senior professor at NIS Patiala, the academic wing of Sports Authority of India, and later coached the Indian hockey team.

His father too was a renowned athlete and represented India at the global stage. He lifted gold medals in various age category tournaments and remained on top for a prolonged time in South Asia. He competed against Olympic medalists as well. 

Alongside them, many of Dhruv’s family members have played competitively. Hence, it goes without saying, Dhruv always knew what field of work would suit him best.  

“One of the major factors that sports instills in a human is discipline. Alongside it comes the sheer willpower to manage adversities. Sports is a metaphor for life in many ways. You will lose many times, but you should have the determination to bounce back and win. And once you start winning, you strategize on maintaining the momentum. Our lives are the same. 

We are a sports family, as I call it. Hence I feel Dhruv’s inclination towards sports was natural. He has stayed very resolute since the start” informed Mr. Vikram Singh, Dhruv’s father. 

Dhruv first played football as a 10-year-old in his school. After gaining initial interest in the game, he joined Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) in 2015. 

“BBFS shaped my football career. My mentors improved my technical and tactical understanding of the sport and upgraded my overall playing attributes. I also played international tournaments, the Delhi League, and was part of the junior I-League squad which helped me improve and learn,” affirmed Dhruv. 

Dhruv represented BBFS in three international tournaments at Spain, Portugal and Singapore. When the team travelled to Spain in 2016, he scored a hat-trick against a side from Norway. Later in 2018, he went on to score six goals in his campaign at Portugal. 

In India, Dhruv proved his mettle at the Delhi League and was adjudged one of the rising players back in the day. 

“I have trained Dhruv since 2018. He is a versatile athlete and a quick learner. His shooting abilities, close control, awareness, and ability to play the final ball is notable and makes him a lethal forward” said Akshay Unni, his coach at BBFS. 

“The pandemic disrupted a lot of things, but football had to stay with me” – Dhruv

When the pandemic hit in 2020, like everyone, Dhruv initially had to stop playing football. However, he continued his training at his backyard and received guidance from his father. 

It was during this time that Dhruv set his target overseas. He trained for a year at his own capacity and kept looking for opportunities abroad. Finally, his fortune was favoured in 2021. 

“I got a call up from FC Timok Zaječar after my agent sent them my playing videos. I was fortunate that they had a requirement for an attacking midfielder and a forward. The talks were initiated in November 2021. I traveled to Serbia early in January 2022 and stayed there for a week. We played a few matches and I was able to perform well which resulted in my selection,” apprised Dhruv. 

“I want to spend my formative years in Europe and come back to play in my country” – Dhruv 

As Dhruv unfolds a new chapter of his life, he believes that his ultimate aim is to come back and play for India and in the Indian Super League. He has signed a six month contract with the Serbian side and aims to maximize his time and learnings in Europe. 

“When I travelled to Serbia, I was fascinated to see the facilities. The team has its own stadium. The medical facilities, gyms, and food are quite different. I want to spend my early football career in Europe and try to give my best. At the moment, my focus is to score goals and gain the crucial playing minutes in Europe. As I proceed, I am eager to play for an ISL club and represent my country” concluded Dhruv. 

This is the first time that the 19-year-old would be leaving his family to stay in foreign lands. But as expected, his entire family is very confident and eager to see him shine. 

“Confidence is the key to success. It is never easy to settle in a new environment. But a sportsperson needs to have a robust mentality, be adaptable to changes and have a spark in them. When I was growing up, I always had the zeal to represent the nation and did whatever was needed. I see the same spark in Dhruv. I believe BBFS has instilled the winning mentality, equipped him with the skill sets and created the much needed base for him. I am sure he is going to do well. However, there’s no pressure on him to perform. We want him to enjoy his time and make the most out of the opportunities that are slated to come his way” concluded his father. 

Dhruv will travel on 24th January to Serbia and start an exciting new chapter of his life. FK Timok Zaječar is a professional football club based in Zaječar, Serbia founded in 1919. They currently compete in the Serbian First League, the second tier of the national league system. 

Currently, the Serbian national football team is ranked 23rd in worldwide FIFA rankings and is home to  Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic and many famous footballers.

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