Robi Hansda: The tribal boy turns national football sensation

Bhatar and Kolkata: On a windy New Year’s Eve at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, a thoroughly introverted boy gave West Bengal’s football fans one of the most memorable moments in seven years. His shirtless celebration so perfectly poised, it seemed almost too good to be true.

Robi Hansda, a 25-year-old tribal boy from the nondescript Musharu village in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district, made headlines by scoring the winning goal against Kerala in a nail-biting Santosh Trophy final.

His airborne strike in the 94th minute took the entire state on the eastern fringe of the country by storm. Robi finished from point-blank range after Aditya Thapa headed the ball into the box.

This was just one precedent of the brilliance Robi displayed throughout the national football championship. He scored 12 goals, breaking the legendary Mohammed Habib's record for most goals scored for Bengal in a single edition, set in 1969. 

He swept the prize ceremony, winning Player of the Match, Player of the Championship, and Top Scorer awards.

A star is born

Bengal had not seen a player from its own land achieve stardom solely through sheer scoring ability and the capacity to enthral crowds for long. Robi’s Bengali identity sparked massive celebrations in Kolkata, where newfound optimism surrounded him, with hopes he would bring back the heroism and glory days of Kolkata football.

He was felicitated at various clubs and by the state government along with the Bengal team. He was also awarded a job in the West Bengal Police and a six-month loan deal worth Rs 6 lakh in the ISL by Mohammedan Sporting. The deal came with a monthly salary of Rs 50,000. 

For a boy born and raised in poverty and despair, this recognition was life-changing. Yet, Robi remains grounded and soft-spoken.

Before Robi, Sandip Nandy, a former India goalkeeper, was the last footballer from the Bardhaman district to rise to prominence. However, unlike Nandy, who had the backing of a father, working in the Indian Railways, Robi’s journey was different and more poignant.

Hero’s welcome

The people who shaped his footballing career were elated by his success. When Robi, who belongs to the indigenous Santal community, returned to his home in Musharu – a mud hut surrounded by paddy fields along the Bardhaman-Katwa road – he was given a hero’s welcome.

For a community that struggles to make ends meet, Robi emerged as a symbol of hope. The entire community celebrated his success, and the Mongalkote block administration also felicitated him.

“Football is very popular in our village," said Chotto Soren, the community head, to The Bridge. "Everyone fears our team in the local tournaments. Robi used to play for our village."

"We know him very well, but after he became the Santosh Trophy champion, the whole community craved to see him as if we had never seen him before," he added, notifying the excitement around the footballer. 

Suresh, Robi’s childhood friend, was equally proud. When asked how Robi overcame poverty and the challenges of playing on uneven fields, he said: “Since childhood, football was his favourite. We used to play together and train together in Bhatar. But we were a bit relaxed, and Robi was serious about it. We are proud of him.”

To mark the special occasion, Robi was treated like a hero upon returning to the village. In an overwhelming display of love and affection, the villagers honoured him with traditional rituals.

There was the Dhamsa Madol, a folk song and dance by tribal women. Residents from Musharu and neighbouring villages gathered to welcome him.

His mother, Tulsi Hansda, a contract farmer, was overwhelmed by the celebrations.

“I am really proud of my son. I never thought he would achieve this much. Sometimes I cry. I craved to see his face while he was being celebrated in Kolkata. Once he returned home, the entire village celebrated him,” said Tulsi, who is still grieving the loss of her husband, Sultan Hansda, who passed away in May last year.

“We never stopped Robi from playing football or forced him to study. His father was his biggest supporter. He also used to play football. If he were alive today, he would have been very happy. He always wanted Robi to become a footballer,” she added.

The optimism around football in the area is palpable. The local Bhatar Akados Athletic Club has decided to resume its coaching clinic programme, which once discovered the talent of Robi, and the Bhatar block administration is seeking advice from the club's coaches to foster the sport's growth.

Guiding force

Though Robi hails from the Mongalkote block, it was the Bhatar block that embraced him as their own. His journey began in 2013 when he joined the club's coaching camp at Bhatar as a goalkeeper. However, one man’s instinctive decision changed his life forever.

“After observing him for two to three days, I told him he would not excel as a goalkeeper and suggested he play in another position," said Uttam Roy, the club’s game secretary. "I asked another boy from his village to play in goal. Surprisingly, the very next day, Robi did well as a striker and earned his place in the team."

A committed coach, Mudraj Seden, played a pivotal role in Robi’s rise. Mudraj scouted Robi from a local tournament and guided him through his formative years.

“Robi’s rise began in 2017. He went to play a U-19 tournament for Bengal and wore the captain’s armband in his first tournament. When he returned home, I warned him about losing focus. In the past, we have seen young footballers from the Santal community become complacent after playing a few tournaments in Kolkata and lose their way,” said Mudraj.

Robi took his coach’s words to heart and stayed focused. However, for a tribal boy, avoiding distractions and staying disciplined was challenging.

“There were several talents from this village who failed to make it big,” said Mudraj. “My plea to Robi was to not fade away and make a name for himself in the Mecca of Indian football - Kolkata."

Since the U-19 tournament, Robi became a regular in Kolkata football. “He first got a chance to play for Rainbow AC and played there for a year,” Mudraj recalled.

In 2022, Robi made headlines by scoring a crucial goal in the Santosh Trophy final against Kerala. Soon after, he joined Customs and played under coach Biswajit Bhattacharya.

But a knee injury during the 2022-23 Santosh Trophy posed a threat. He was sidelined for over a year, but Robi showed resilience, recovered, and made a remarkable comeback to the Bengal team.

Mudraj is confident his protege will continue to excel and wear the India jersey in the future.

“His rise will continue. He will not look back,” vowed Mudraj.

Asked why he is so certain of Robi’s future, Mudraj said, “Robi is hardworking, disciplined, and passionate. That is what sets him apart in this community.”

“In our community, many boys do not dare to dream big because they lack guidance and smitten by smallest of things. Robi is different," uttered Mudraj. 

“In the tribal community, alcoholism is a common menace. I had advised him to stay away from his friends and avoid playing Khep football. As a result, they once even boycotted him. Yet, he stayed away from such distractions and remained dedicated to football,” the coach added.

Somnath Samanta, another coach in Bhatar, was all praise of Robi. “I have not seen another boy like him in Bhatar or Mongalkote. He comes from a needy background but trains tirelessly. He is disciplined and has never fought with teammates.”

Robi’s magnificent rise is a testament to Bengal’s rural talent and holds the promise of reviving the state’s footballing glory days.