Anwar Ali: A strong lad, he’s also strong in the air.JCT FC (formerly JCT Mills or Jagatjit Cotton Textiles Mills), founded in 1971, were once a major force in Indian football before they folded up in 2011. But former JCT players, both Indian and foreign, have continued to flourish in other Indian clubs. Some of them are now plying their trade in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).Among the former alumni of the Phagwara-based club who are distinguishing themselves in the ISL are striker Balwant Singh (Chennaiyin FC), Baljit Sahni (Atlético de Kolkata), Anwar Ali (Delhi Dynamos FC), Gurwinder Singh, Penn Orji (Kerala Blasters FC) and 20-year-old JCT Academy product Seiminlen Doungel (NorthEast United FC).One person who is pleased as punch with the performances of his former wards in the ISL is former JCT and India coach Sukhwinder Singh. “I am happy that our former JCT players are making a mark in the ISL. They have the capacity to do much better,” Sukhwinder told indiansuperleague.com over the telephone from the Punjab.The 65-year-old gaffer won the inaugural National Football League title and Federation Cup with JCT as well as the SAFF Cup with the senior national team in 1998 and with the India under-23 team in 2009. He highlighted the intrinsic qualities of his former wards which has enabled them to do well in the new league. Balwant Singh: Blessed with pace & dribbling ability, he can shoot with both legs.Of the 27-year-old Balwant Singh, who has one goal and three assists in the ISL, Sukhwinder said, “He has pace, dribbling ability, ball control and can shoot well with both legs.” Sukhwinder had brought along the striker to Churchill Brothers at the start of the 2013-14 season and the sturdy Punjabi striker excelled for the Goan club and gatecrashed into the national team as a result.Sukhwinder also thinks that striker Baljit Sahni has done well for himself. He has scored once for Atlético de Kolkata and has also fitted in competently as right back after injury ruled out the participation of Indian international Denzil Franco. “He was with us for three years and he can score all types of goals, with either the foot or head, first timers or solo efforts. He has good vision and gets into scoring positions with ease. The fact that he has also been tried out as right back shows his adaptability. He can go far with the right encouragement,” the former midfielder opined.Sukhwinder is also pleased that the evergreen former international, Anwar Ali, whom he had persuaded to leave Punjab Police and join the millmen in 2005-06, is still going strong. “He’s an ideal for a central defender – good body, good in the air and a strong tackler. With his considerable experience, he’s got a good sense of his positioning now, as well,” said Sukwinder.The genial Sardar also remembered attacking midfielder Orji who was appointed Kerala Blasters skipper and has scored two goals for the Kochi side. The teenaged Nigerian got his first break in India with JCT and was mentored by Sukhwinder before being lured away to East Bengal. Sukhwinder, who was also briefly with the Pailan Arrows, has a lot of positive things to say about the ISL, including the improved facilities, timing of the matches, and attendance at the games. “With such good grounds and floodlit games, and top quality players involved, a better quality of game is being produced. The players are also enthused by the large crowds to give off their best. We however have to use the opportunity provided by the ISL to take the game forward in India,” he emphasised.
