Tomba Singh eyes comeback

Thursday, 23. July 2009 - Pit Ruddy

After spending two years in wilderness Wangkheirakpam Tomba Singh is confident of making a comeback.

Voted the 'Player of the Year' in 2003 this mercurial wing-half was out of action mainly because of injury. The last match he played was way back in 2007, when he turned out for Mohun Bagan in an AFC Cup match.

Next year he joined East Bengal but was sidelined for the entire season as he did not recover from the muscle injury he suffered in his right leg. In 2008 Tomba definitely recovered but didn't find favour with the then coach Stanley Rozario. After Subhas Bhowmick took over Tomba was hopeful of a turnaround. He was regular at the practice, was performing in the practice matches and earning accolades from the coach. But when it came to getting on to the ground Tomba was ignored.

"During that period I was fit as a fiddle but was not registered." This year the footballer approached Mohun Bagan on his own. He was asked to come for a trial and told that if the coach is happy he will definitely be entertained. In the practice sessions Tomba is definitely outshining one-and-all but will have to wait for the coaches verdict. But if he is selected he will have to face the problem of clearance.

Tomba is unfazed, "If selected I will handle the issue of clearance. For two years I have not been able to get on to the ground. I am hungry to perform. If Mohun Bagan signs me on than I will show the world how much football is still left in me."