In no time, Parthib Gogoi, a 20-year-old talent from Sivasagar, Assam, has been able to draw the attention of the football fans with his ability to pierce through the opposite defence and score.
On August 4 in Guwahati, Parthib, representing NorthEast United FC, scored a spectacular hat-trick in a Durand Cup against Shillong Lajong FC.
His journey from a small town to the grand stage began with a love for football instilled by his father, who introduced him to the game through videos of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and others. Encouraged by his parents, who were both teachers, Parthib’s passion grew, and he soon found himself representing Assam on the football field.
His father Paban Gogoi is an associate professor of History at Nazira College while his mother Shobha Lahon Gogoi is an assistant teacher at Gargaon High School.
Parthib Gogoi shared: “My parents are both teachers; my father and his friend initiated a local football club named, Gargaon Football Coaching Centre, where they enrol my brother and me for coaching. My father’s passion for football is immense; he collected short videos of Messi and Ronaldo and showed them to me. Observing my elder brother’s interest, I too developed a keen interest in football. Thanks to my parents’ unwavering support, my journey has been successful.”
Representing Assam in a tournament in New Delhi, Parthib impressed the selectors, propelling him to the Indian national football under-16 team.
His dedication continued to shine as he joined the Indian Arrows and participated in the SAFF under-20 competitions, ultimately earning him a spot in NorthEast United FC.
“My parents have been my strength,” Parthib said, acknowledging their unwavering support despite doubters. “Many people questioned my father, suggesting that there were no viable careers in football. Nevertheless, they motivated me to respond with my performance on the field.”
Parthib’s remarkable hat trick at the Durand Cup was a dream come true. “A momentous day for me was when I played in the prestigious Durand Cup game for the first time. The credit for my hat trick goes to my teammates, who created opportunities for me to score goals. My focus is solely on playing my best for the club and contributing goals,” he added.
Looking forward, Parthib’s ultimate goal is to represent the senior national football team. He draws inspiration from Sunil Chhetri and Messi, his football idols. Already making a mark in the Indian Super League (ISL), Parthib has played 18 matches, scored 3 goals, and provided 1 assist. His ISL journey began with a substitute appearance against Bengaluru FC on October 8, 2022.
A special aspect of Parthib Gogoi‘s journey is that his elder brother, Pragyan, also plays for NEUFC, making it a family affair for the team.
“We faced challenges, and last year’s results weren’t great. However, this time, we’re giving it our all. I hope the fans come out to support us,” Parthib said, eager to make his team proud once again. As Parthib Gogoi continued to shine on the field, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers everywhere.
