Dhanpal Ganesh is no stranger to the international arena. Having played for the India Under-22 team during the AFC U-22 Asian Cup Qualification in 2012 in Muscat, Oman, the quiet footballer prefers to let his work on the pitch do the talking for him.
Ask Ganesh for an interview, and he smiles away shyly saying that he is still learning as a footballer. And yet when he does sit down to speak about the game, his recent selection for the Senior National Team camp in Guwahati, and his personal journey as a footballer, there is deep conviction in his words, akin to his playing style which is hard and intense.
We caught up with the lanky six-foot tall defensive midfielder for quick chat ahead of his first –ever senior team camp.
Excerpts;
How is the feeling to be called up for the senior national team?
Everyone who takes up a sport as a career wants to play on the international stage for his or her country. The feeling is the same. And getting called to participate in a camp for the same itself is such a big honour. It feels very good of course. Ever since my days in Chennai, and then the Pune FC Academy, it was always a dream to play for the national team. I did play in the U-22 squad earlier but now being called upon for the senior team camp is a step in that direction once again.
The camp will feature some of the best footballing talents from across India, what is your take on it?
It is a very good thing. See, when you are playing against the best in the business, you also will be working very hard to give your best. It is a similar attitude to the one at the senior team here in Pune FC. We go out there every day, in every match, only to give nothing else but our very best and it has bought the team rich dividends. That very same attitude is what I will be taking to the national camp too. The club groomed me into becoming a good footballer and I want to work hard to ensure that I can only go forward from here. I will give my very best during the camp and will hope for the very best.
You have previously played AFC U-22 Asian Cup Qualification in Oman. How was the experience back then and how will it help now?
It was a very good experience. One of the most important things I learnt there was speed. I mean when you get a pass from a fellow player, you cannot hold onto it for long. You have to release it immediately. Even when you are tackling, you can’t afford to be clumsy or you will get booked and that is not a good thing for the game. In fact, it is all about cleanly taking the ball and quickly releasing it. Quick, fast attacking styles of play are what define football on the international level. That experience was very important. In fact it will be of immense help when I go for the camp.
Has that playing style come into your games, when you play in the I-League?
As I said, for me now, at 23 years of age, football is all about learning and assimilating all the right tactics in my game. Every day is a new learning process. I am glad that I have been able to play and learn so much under the guidance of everyone here. Even during the matches of the I-League or any other tournament I play to give nothing else but my very best for the team.
How did everyone back home react to the news of you going for the camp?
My parents told me that this was only the first step. They were happy but they told me not to get carried away and let it go to my head. Rather they asked me to stay calm and focus on the road ahead. They prayed a lot for me and I see their prayers find a way to merge with my hard work on the field. My parents have always been my biggest support system and I am very happy that they are able to see me live my dream. Honestly I didn’t take up the sport to get a job in the Government. I took it up to follow my dream of playing for the country. My parents supported me throughout it all and I hope to reaffirm their faith along with those of my friends, colleagues and my seniors in me by living that dream.
