‘Shillong people are passionate about football’
Punjab FC's Ricky Shabong looks forward to ISL matches in his hometown
New Delhi, Dec 24: Punjab FC midfielder Ricky Shabong, who hails from Shillong, is looking forward to the Indian Super League (ISL) matches scheduled in Meghalaya.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will be hosting the NorthEast United FC home games, with the Highlanders slated to play against Mumbai City FC (February 7, 2025), Bengaluru FC (February 21, 2025), and East Bengal FC (March 8, 2025) in the capital of Meghalaya in ISL 2024-25.
“With the ISL coming to Shillong, I believe many young footballers from here will realise how much harder they need to work to reach this level. Also, people in Shillong are passionate about football, so they’re getting a chance to watch the game directly,” he remarked.
“Shillong is rich in football culture, but I grew up in a very small village where only a few of us knew about football. All of this comes from working hard, trusting God, and believing in me. This is how it has helped me grow day by day, dream big, and work towards fulfilling my football dreams since my childhood,” he added.
“I have understood the importance of preparation and consistency”
Ricky opened up on the finer aspects of the takeaways he has garnered from the ISL. He has won nearly three duels and made 3.4 recoveries per match in the competition this season. The 21-year-old has made 22 passes per game at 80% accuracy, making six successful dribbles and creating seven goal-scoring chances – in addition to notching one assist so far.
“Competing at this level has exposed me to the demands of professional football, both on and off the field. The intensity, pace, and tactical discipline required in the ISL have taught me the importance of preparation and consistency,” he said.
Ricky has also been proactive in seeking suggestions of his counterparts. “A senior teammate once emphasised the importance of hard work during training and maintaining discipline, as these habits translate directly into match-day performances.”
“Playing in tournaments like the RFDL and NextGen Cup has been a transformative experience for me as a player”
Ricky credited the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) and the NextGen Cup for playing a significant role in his development as a professional footballer. Ricky has risen to become a regular in Punjab FC’s first-team in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25. In 11 appearances, he has clocked 548 minutes and become an integral player for them at the centre of the park.
Reflecting on the impact of RFDL and the NextGen Cup, Ricky said, “Playing in tournaments like the RFDL and NextGen has been a transformative experience for me as a player. These platforms provided the opportunity to compete against some of the best young talents, which challenged me to raise my game and improve consistently.”
The exposure to top-tier talent enhanced his skills and even gave him some valuable lessons about self-improvement. “Both tournaments pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me identify areas for improvement, and gave me the confidence to pursue bigger opportunities in football,” he added.
As for personal goals, Ricky is keeping it simple. He wants to improve from a technical perspective and then gradually make the move up to represent the senior Indian national team.
“My personal ambitions in football are to continue improving my skills, both technically and mentally, and to contribute consistently to my team’s success. In the next few years, I see myself competing at the highest level and representing my country, India, in international tournaments,” he signed off.
