• Meet Satyajit Bordoloi of Assam, the coveted Santosh Trophy Winner representing Karnataka

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    Meet Satyajit Bordoloi of Assam, the coveted Santosh Trophy Winner representing Karnataka
    Satyajit Bordoloi is a goalkeeper who was born and raised in Morigaon, Assam...

    Digital Desk: As a rising bud in Indian Domestic Football Team, Satyajit Bordoloi is a name that shines and is highly dedicated and looking forward to achieving big. He is a goalkeeper who was born and raised in Morigaon, Assam, he also won the prestigious Santosh Trophy while representing Karnataka.

    He is technically one of the few Assamese to have won the prestigious Santosh Trophy award in Indian domestic football.  

    It is to be mentioned that, Karnataka defeated Meghalaya 3-2 in the final on March 4 in Riyadh to win the Santosh Trophy for the first time in 54 years.  

    "It was my dream to compete in the Santosh Trophy and today I'm the winner. It was beyond my wildest dreams. I'm thrilled and grateful to everyone who has helped me," an emotional Satyajit told a local news agency, The Assam Tribune.

    Satyajit is qualified to represent Karnataka because he plays for Sporting Club Bengaluru in Bangalore. He took part in the trials, and Karnataka selectors thought he was competent enough to rise and play.

    When asked about him not appearing or playing for Assam, he said, "Of course, everyone wants to represent his or her state. I, too, wished to represent Assam. But I was never called for trials for reasons I never understood. So, whatever occurred, I believe it was for the best," Satyajit added.

    Moving Towards the dream 'Santosh Trophy',  He tried out for the Assam squad in 2019 but failed to qualify. Despite his low morale, he was determined to succeed someday. 

    In the meantime, he played for Gokulam Kerala, where he won multiple titles, including the Independence Cup and the Bodousa Cup. He then briefly played for Kerala United. Satyajit was at home when Sports Club Bengaluru called.

    "My condition was, I want to play in the Santosh Trophy and I would join their club only if I would be permitted to participate in the trials. They agreed, and the rest is history," said the 27-year-old. 

    Satyajit's early life, from his first steps into football to proving his father wrong-

    Satyajit was called for Under-15 trials for the Assam squad in the early 2010s, however, he was not picked. He was then called up for Under-17 trials, where he met the same fate. 

    Satyajit was discouraged yet determined and opted to transfer to Gwalior's Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE). After three years, he was named for India's Under-23 team in 2017.

    Satyajit, however, was unable to accompany the team to Qatar since he did not prepare his passport in time. He further explained "After that, I spent three years with Gokulam Kerala FC. At Gokulam Kerala, I won various trophies, including the Independence Cup and the Bodousa Cup. I then briefly joined Kerala United." 

    Satyajit comes from a middle-class background, and his father wanted him to focus on his studies so that he could earn a comfortable lifestyle.

    "Initially my father was not very supportive as he thought I wouldn't be able to do anything playing football. Yet I was determined to disprove him. I wanted to demonstrate that I can play football well. But, unfortunately, he is no longer with us now, as you can see from what I'm doing," Satyajit stated.

    His father, Nakul Bordoloi, died due to cancer in 2017. Satyajit now has his mother and sister as his family. 

    Future goals of Satyajit-

    Satyajit acknowledges the truth because he has been through a lot on his path so far. He believes his goal is difficult, but he is committed. "Of course, the goal is to play for India. This, however, will not be easy.
    So I'll have to take things slowly. I have to go through the I-League, then the ISL," he stated.