Som Kumar: From Bengaluru to Slovenia – A Goalkeeper’s Journey to European Football

Meet Som Kumar, an 18-year-old towering goalkeeper standing at an impressive 6’2″. Recently, he made a courageous decision to turn down an offer from an Indian Super League (ISL) team and embark on a journey to Europe to hone his football skills and pursue his dreams on a bigger stage.

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Born and raised in a sports-centric household in Bengaluru, Som’s parents, Vivek Kumar and Shama Kittur, were former national-level badminton players. However, young Som’s passion extended beyond badminton, as he fell in love with football at the tender age of two. Now, after 16 years of dedication and hard work, he is making a name for himself in the Slovenia football league.

Som Kumar Thriving in Slovenia

Currently, Som is a vital member of the first team at NK Olympija Ljubljana (NKOL), a prominent Slovenian club. He initially joined the club’s youth team and swiftly showcased his talent in five matches for the U-19 side, leading to a well-deserved promotion to the senior squad.

As one of the youngest players in the senior team, Som acknowledges the challenge of competing with older and more experienced athletes. However, he embraces this opportunity and asserts that he is well-prepared to face the trials that come with it.

Som’s breakthrough moment came when he represented India in the SAFF U20 Championship in Bhubaneswar, where the team secured victory. His exceptional performance between the posts earned him the best goalkeeper award in the tournament. Reflecting on his football journey, Som admits that while he started playing football at a young age, he truly gained confidence in the sport around the age of 13, making significant strides in his development from that point onward.

Selecting Slovenia as the destination to pursue his football dreams, Som explains that the country has a reputation for producing top-quality goalkeepers. With renowned talents like Jan Oblak and Samir Handanovic hailing from Slovenia, Som and his family believed it was an ideal place for him to excel in his position.

Moving to Europe in 2021 was not without its challenges for the young goalkeeper. Leaving the comfort of home behind, Som had to adapt to a new environment, learn the local language, take on the responsibilities of cooking for himself, and become independent. However, with unwavering support from his family, he persevered through the tough times. Som looks up to Manchester City’s Ederson as his role model and draws inspiration from the Brazilian goalkeeper’s playing style and success.

His time in Slovenia has been transformative, both as a player and an individual. Adapting to the different tactics employed in European football compared to India, Som has now settled comfortably into the system. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and embracing the valuable lessons from various coaches. Language and communication were also essential aspects of his adaptation, prompting Som to take Slovenian lessons to better communicate with his teammates on the field.

Long-Term Goals: Aiming High in European Football

When asked about the Indian Super League (ISL), Som states that, for now, it does not align with his aspirations. He firmly believes that his decision to pursue his career in Europe was the right one, and he is content with how things have unfolded so far. While his ultimate goal is to play in the top European leagues, he remains grounded by setting short-term objectives, focusing on improving his weaknesses and striving for continuous progress.

Som Kumar’s journey from Bengaluru to Slovenia is a tale of courage, determination, and ambition. With his impressive skills and dedication, he has set his sights on conquering new heights in European football. As he continues to evolve as a player and a person, there is no doubt that Som’s name will become synonymous with excellence in the world of football.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to Som Kumar

Q. Who is Som Kumar?
Som Kumar is an 18-year-old goalkeeper hailing from Bengaluru, India. He is a rising football talent known for his towering height of 6’2″ and exceptional goalkeeping skills. Born into a sports-oriented family, Som’s parents, Vivek Kumar and Shama Kittur, were former national-level badminton players. However, he followed his passion for football from a very young age and is now making a name for himself in the Slovenia football league.

Q. Why did Som Kumar choose to play in Europe?
Som Kumar’s decision to play in Europe was driven by his ambition to excel among the best goalkeepers and make significant strides in his football career. Slovenia, in particular, was selected because the country is renowned for producing top-quality goalkeepers. He believed that training and competing in a region known for nurturing talents like Jan Oblak and Samir Handanovic would provide the perfect environment for his growth and development as a goalkeeper.

Q. How did Som Kumar’s journey to Slovenia begin?
Som Kumar’s journey to Slovenia began when he joined the youth team of Slovenian club NK Olympija Ljubljana (NKOL) earlier this year. After impressing in five matches for the U-19 team, he earned a call-up to the senior squad, becoming one of the youngest players to be part of the team. This opportunity opened the doors for him to showcase his skills on a bigger stage and pursue his dream of playing in Europe.