Thoiba Singh’s footballing journey began in the fields of Manipur, where he used to play with a pomelo because his family couldn’t afford a proper football. Despite these humble beginnings, his determination and talent have carried him to an incredible milestone—earning his first call-up for the Indian national team. Recalling the moment, Thoiba shared, “After the Mohun Bagan match, we were having dinner when I got a call from Ravi Khedar, the General Manager of Odisha FC. He asked me, ‘Are you going home?’ I said, ‘Yes, tomorrow morning.’ He then told me, ‘Don’t go home; you are going for the national camp.’ For a moment, I was silent and shocked. I still can’t believe it.” The next morning brought a flood of congratulatory messages from his coach, coaching staff, and teammates. For Thoiba, this moment fulfilled a dream he had nurtured since childhood. “Playing for the national team was my dream, and now it’s coming true. But this is just the start. There’s still a long way to go, and I’m excited to work …