Ishan Pandita’s passage to Indian football – via Philippines and Spain

Ishan Pandita was one of the standout youngsters in the recently-concluded season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The 22-year-old striker scored four goals for FC Goa despite being used largely as a substitute. Pandita helped FC Goa reach the semi-finals, where they fell to eventual champions Mumbai City FC.

Ishan Pandita’s impactful performances attracted the attention of the Indian football team and the youngster was rewarded with a call-up to the senior side for the friendlies against Oman and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Playing a game for India will be a dream come true for young Pandita.

“I am extremely honoured. Every kid while growing up dreams of playing for his country. That’s a norm all over the world, and in any sport for that matter. I also dreamt the same,” said Pandita to the AIFF in an interview.

“The call-up allows me an opportunity to make a mark for my country – but there’s a long pathway ahead.”

Desperation for success

While staying in bio-secure bubbles and away from family was difficult for some, Ishan Pandita already had some experience of it.

The striker was born in New Delhi but studied in the Philippines before moving to Spain – considered one of the best places for developing young footballers – at the age of 16. It was a challenging move for the teenager.

“Initially, I found it extremely tough. I cried every single day and felt homesick. It was an alien country, a different culture. In fact, everything was so different,” he admitted.

“I wanted to be back, but football kept me back. Slowly, I got used to the system and settled down.”

Ishan Pandita has played for clubs in Spain’s lower leagues and the experience improved his decision-making on-field and accelerated his physical and technical development.

He was yet to play in his home country though and as luck would have it, an opportunity to play in the ISL materialised during summer last year.

“There were a lot of uncertainties (in Spain) when the COVID pandemic had struck. No one knew when football would be back,” said Pandita.

“I didn’t want to stay back for such a long time amidst all the uncertainty. That’s when FC Goa happened and I immediately grabbed it. To me, it was a God-gifted opportunity to showcase myself in the league.”

Though he did not start any game for FC Goa, manager Juan Ferrando trusted him enough to bring him on when the team needed a spark and Ishan Pandita delivered every time.

“The hunger and passion I have for the game defined it for me. I was hungry to perform and am willing to do anything to see the ball at the back of the net. I was coming in as a substitute and had very little time to make a mark. My desperation knew no bounds,” he stated.

Ishan Pandita has already struck up a bond with his national team-mates and coach Igor Stimac, but the one person he is yet to meet is Indian captain Sunil Chhetri, who will miss the matches as he recovers from COVID-19.

“I was looking forward to meeting him and picking up some traits both on and off the pitch. But there’s always a next time and I wait to play and learn from him. I hope he gets well soon,” Ishan Pandita said.

Lead photo: ISL Media