CHANDIGARH: Growing up in a notorious drug-filled neighborhood, football was the only way out for
Mohammad Sajid Dhot.
The 21-year-old defender, who plays for
Delhi Dynamos
in the
Indian Super League (
ISL
), had a troublesome childhood. He hails from Malerkotla in Sangrur, where every second day one hears the news of drug-related death. But for Sajid, the beautiful game overcame the ugliness of life.
"It was very difficult for me and my elder brother (Mohammad Sagar Dhot). We used to hear the news of deaths daily. There was a drug menace in our locality. But for us, football was the only way to get out," Sajid told TOI on the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.
"In 2007, our father decided to send us to Chandigarh. We joined
St Stephen's Football Academy
and from there onwards, football became our life," he added.
Although a freak knee injury ended the career of Sajid's elder brother, this did not stop him from playing football.
"My brother is an inspiration for me, a motivation that keeps me going through tough times," said the defender.
Mohammad Sajid, who had played for India in all junior age-groups has made seven appearances in defence over the course of his ISL campaign. The Punjab-born centre-back was plying his trade with DSK Shivajians in the I-League, before being picked up by the Delhi Dynamos in the ISL Players' draft.
"It is a great step up to come from the I-League to the ISL because the competition level in this league is much higher. I am delighted because I think I am lucky that I got signed by the right club who were willing to give me chances and not use me as a fringe player. Dynamos believed in me and that is one of the reasons they offered me a long-term contract," said Sajid
"From the training sessions where I had the chance to work under a coach who made me a better player today to players like (Kalu) Uche, (Gabriel) Cichero, Pritam (Kotal) and had helped me so much right throughout the season," he added.
Still only 21, the former All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Academy graduate exudes a sense of maturity as he said, he is one season away from donning the national colours.
"If it was not for the injuries, I feel I could have proved my worth a lot earlier. I am happy that I got six matches but I want to play as much as I can. But when things are not in your hands, like injuries, then it gets really upsetting. I know if I will remain injury free, I will be in the Indian team by the end of this year," Sajid explains.
Sajid, who has trained at St Stephen's Academy for seven years feels that FIFA U-17 World Cup has changed the youth football landscape for the better in the country.
"Things have changed a lot now for the youth players in India, more so after the U-17 World Cup. It has brought a whole lot of exposure to the youth side of Indian football because before that the focus was mostly on the senior team," he said.
"Now everyone wants to know what is next for the U-17 team or the U-16 team because they are the getting the exposures at international stage also," he further added.
Start a Conversation
Post comment