Sandesh Jhingan's Diwali delight: A celebration of family, football, and resilience

The defender admires Goan way of celebrating life

As the vibrant lights of Diwali illuminate homes across the nation, there’s a special glow in the heart of the stalwart defender of the national team and the defensive backbone of FC Goa, Sandesh Jhingan. For him, Diwali is more than just a festival; it’s a cherished tradition that has woven memories of joy and togetherness since his childhood.

In a Diwali special interview with FC Goa, defensive stalwart, Sandesh Jhingan, delved into his cherished memories of the festival of lights, the significance of Goa in his life, and the unique bond he shares with his football family.

Celebrating Diwali with Joy and Memories

“Diwali is the favorite festival for me since I was a kid,” reminisces Sandesh Jhingan. “This whole month, I loved and used to receive a lot of sweets when I was a kid.” His eyes light up with the nostalgia of childhood joy as he reflects on the sweetness of Diwali traditions.

Family, Joy, and Beautiful Moments

Jhingan’s Diwali celebrations have evolved over the years, creating a tapestry of beautiful memories. “I have great memories of Diwali and Ramleela with my family,” he shares. “This year, I’m celebrating my Diwali with my beautiful daughter and my wife. It brings joy and happiness.”

Goa: A Special Place for Festivities and Flashbacks

For Sandesh, Goa holds a special place in his heart. “Goa is very welcoming, and a lot of flashbacks are there,” he reveals. “I met my wife Ivanka in Goa, and when we moved here, there are many flashbacks in the time of dating. This place is always special to us.”

He expresses admiration for the way Goans celebrate life, not just in football but in every aspect. “I love how people in Goa celebrate festivals; not just in football, they celebrate their life. We can see the celebrations in every street and corner.”

Teammates: The Extended Family

Having spent a significant part of his career away from home, Jhingan reflects on the importance of his football family. “I’ve been away from home since I became a professional at the age of 18, and almost 12 seasons in India. I think the majority of them, like 70% or 80%, I celebrated Diwali with my teammates—be it with Kerala Blasters, the national team, or now, for example, with FC Goa.”

He emphasizes the unique camaraderie in football, referring to his teammates as brothers. “Most of the year, I’m going to spend with them, so they are actually my first family here. It’s beautiful how one sport brings everyone together and gives comfort to each other.”

Embracing Struggles as Best Days

Sandesh Jhingan’s journey to success has been paved with challenges and moments of darkness. “Everyone has tough moments where we feel the darkness or bad times,” he acknowledges. “Life is too hard, life is too unfair, and everything seems very tough and very heavy. I’ve had many moments like that, but I always call them the best days of my life.” Jhingan attributes his resilience to these tough times. “Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

He encourages others facing challenges to believe in themselves, their families, and hard work. “Whatever life throws at you and how dark or tough it gets, believe in God, believe in your family, and work hard. Eventually, the good will always overcome the dark, and that’s the beauty of human life,” he concluded.

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