Pramveer, ISL’s youngest starter, aims to kick on

Pramveer Singh, Punjab FC's youngest starter in ISL history, impresses with solid debut performance at 17.

At 17 years and 189 days, Punjab FC’s Pramveer Singh became the youngest starter in 11 seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL) when he made his debut against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on December 26.

Though a 3-1 defeat for Punjab FC didn’t make for a memorable initiation, the lanky centre-back from Haryana made a solid enough impression with four interceptions and a block to earn the trust of his manager for his side’s next game against Kerala Blasters.

The debut came about only due to an injury to Croatian centre-back Ivan Novoselec against East Bengal. But now that he has got a glimpse of the arc lights, the left-footed defender is eager to become a key part of his club’s plans.

“I felt I was ready, but it was against a very big team like Mohun Bagan. I was fearful at first that if I didn’t play the first match well, the coach wouldn’t trust me and it would be difficult to get another opportunity,” the shy and soft-spoken Pramveer told The Hindu on Tuesday. “But I thought I played well. The coach also said that I should just keep performing like that. My aim is to now become a regular starter for the club.”

Belonging to Behlba village in Rohtak district, Pramveer’s association with football began early despite opposition from his parents. His father, who earns his livelihood from farming, was an aspiring boxer who perhaps wanted his son to take that route.

“I started playing football in my village at the age of 9. My parents weren’t supportive. My father wanted me to get into boxing or wrestling. But a lot of people used to play football in my neighbourhood. There was a ground, but nobody had made it professionally. So my parents didn’t see a future,” Pramveer recalled.

A successful trial in 2017 with former I-League team Minerva Punjab FC, which now plays in the ISL as Punjab FC, set Pramveer on his way. “A couple of friends told me that Minerva was conducting trials. I was selected. Then when it became Punjab FC, I got into the academy,” he said.