When the All-India Soccer Federation (AIFF) declared the I-League’s greatest emerging participant on April 17th, nineteen-year-old Gyamar Nikum, representing Inter Kashi, was in his ancestral village of Takey (Nyapin) in the Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh. Restricted world-wide-web access in the space initially prevented him from receiving the news right, but via friends, he inevitably realized of his accomplishment.
Doubts lingered until finally he verified the news himself, eliciting mind-boggling pleasure and happiness from him and his family. In an exclusive interview with The Bridge, Nikum expressed his elation, declaring, “I am very satisfied and proud. This wouldn’t have been doable without the need of the help of my teammates and the coaching staff members. Their steering was a must have throughout the time. I imagine this was my most effective season nonetheless, so I experience deserving of this recognition.”
Gyamar Nikum holds the difference of currently being the to start with player to compete in both equally the Indian Super League and the fourth participant from Arunachal Pradesh to grace the I-League phase. Previous him, Gumpe Rime, Nyamar Loyi, and Techi Tatra represented Arunachal Pradesh at the greatest echelons of Indian club soccer.
Early days
Nikum’s football journey began through his time at a boarding university, in which restricted sports options steered him in direction of soccer. “I uncovered my passion for football in a boarding school environment wherever choices were scarce. Soccer rapidly became my addiction, in particular soon after obtaining my initial pair of football sneakers. It was at Lekhi Community College, Itanagar, the place my enjoy for soccer flourished,” shared Nikum.
Arunachal Sporting Soccer Club, based in Itanagar, served as the beginning level for Nikum’s football journey. He later participated in senior-stage tournaments with Polo Town FC. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Nikum and his football friends sought avenues to advance their careers, recognizing the absence of a best-tier academy in their point out.
Nikum with Arunachal Sporting Football Club
“In the course of the lockdown, with constrained soccer action, my pals and I explored the probability of joining an academy. As a result of social media, we stumbled on the Rajasthan United academy and arrived at out to them, sooner or later acquiring a response,” reflecting on this interval Nikum remarked.
The Sacrifices
Nikum’s father, Gyamar Tajik is a former soccer player who represented the Arunachal Pradesh soccer team in the 1999 Santosh trophy. “Irrespective of my have involvement in football, I couldn’t realize a lot in the sport. When Nikum expressed fascination in joining the Rajasthan United academy, I originally fearful and recommended him to prioritize his research. On the other hand, he remains established to go after his enthusiasm,” Tajik reported.
“I normally listened to tales about my father’s glory times on the soccer field, but unfortunately, I in no way had the prospect to witness his competencies firsthand. I usually desire I could have viewed him play, even just when,” Nikum reminisced.
“I never ever had official instruction most of my soccer experience arrived from taking part in with close friends on college grounds for the duration of weekends and vacations. However, I did characterize my condition for beneath-16 and under-18 teams, which gave me some useful insights into the sport. The moment, I was much too frightened to check with my mother and father for soccer footwear, so I turned to my big brother for assist. After that, I understood how a great deal I liked playing, and I have never ever appeared again since,” shared Nikum.
To fulfill his soccer desire, hello mother Gyamar Nyuniu, went previously mentioned and past by having a personalized financial loan from a private bash to ship Nikum to the Rajasthan United Academy. “My household, specially my mother and my brother, supported me immensely,” Nikum expressed. “They did almost everything in their electricity to assure I could sign up for the academy, regardless of my father’s original fears. With their assist, along with that of my mates, I have been equipped to give my greatest hard work at Rajasthan United,” Nikum included.
Turning position
“Signing up for Rajasthan United has been the ideal choice of my existence. At the starting, modifying was tricky owing to our different meals practices. I faced nervousness and lacked self-confidence, but my teammates and the club presented ease and comfort and guidance. I will have to mention Kamal Singh Saroha sir, who has been a unique resource of assistance and continues to be in contact with me to this working day,” Nikum reflected on his journey.
Nikum’s transfer to Mumbai Town FC for a charge of 60 lakhs marked a important milestone in his vocation. “Prior to the wintertime transfer window of 2023, I heard rumors about clubs demonstrating curiosity in me, but I couldn’t believe that it,” Nikum said.
“When I first joined Mumbai City FC, I was impressed by how superior and specialist all people was. Even although I acquired hurt, I got applied to almost everything slowly but surely. Being the youngest player, everybody helped me a good deal, particularly Bipin,” he additional.
Shining in Banaras
Nikum’s journey with Inter Kashi was nothing at all shorter of remarkable. On personal loan from his guardian club, he made an immediate affect, scoring his debut purpose versus Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the 87th moment, securing a important acquire.
Less than the advice of head coach Carlos Santamarina, Nikum identified not just mentorship but also trust and assurance, enabling him to excel on the area. Surrounded by supportive seniors and cherished friendships, Nikum’s time with Inter Kashi transformed him both of those as a participant and as a particular person, reigniting his assurance and pleasure in the match.
I-League Emerging Player Gyamar Nikum turns a position design in Arunachal Pradesh! ⭐️ #IndianFootball ⚽️
— Indian Soccer Team (@IndianFootball) April 24, 2024
His contributions are plain, with 4 aims and four helps in the I-League 2023-24 time, every single resulting in his team’s unbeaten streak whenever he discovered the net or delivered an help.
Nikum will now return to Mumbai Metropolis FC with the hopes of making a considerable affect in the ISL. His top aspiration, even so, extends past club football “I hope a single day I get a get in touch with-up for the national crew, for that I have to operate tougher.”
Message to the kids
Nikum’s suggestions to the youth of Arunachal Pradesh is concise yet impactful. “To go after a job in football, encourage your dad and mom to enroll you in a reliable football academy. This way, you can do the job on your techniques although continuing your instruction and steering clear of damaging behavior like tobacco, alcohol, and medication,” Nikum emphasized.
Nikum envisions the positive impression of establishing a soccer academy and a workforce competing in the I-league from Arunachal Pradesh.
“Like states these kinds of as Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur have a crew in the I league, if a crew or a right academy had been to be founded in Arunachal Pradesh, younger gamers from the state would not will need to go in other places. They could begin their journey here and then progress more. I hope that some group from outdoors will commence an academy in the state,” Nikum signed off with a hopeful smile.