It’s safe to say there has never been a UNBC varsity athlete who has taken the path to become a Timberwolf quite like Sukhman Singh.
A journey that started on the other side of the world, and went through men’s recreational soccer, is now culminating at the highest level of university sports in Canada now that Singh has made the cut to join the T-wolves.
“Honestly, the first couple weeks were so much pressure, and I was so nervous, too,” Singh said. “It was something different. I was waiting for this opportunity. I was nervous. I was in or out, I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t sleep for a week. I was sleeping for four hours and then just lying on the bed and thinking how did I do, and what were things I could do better. When Steve handed me that shirt, that was the best time, so far, in my career.”
Singh’s addition to the program was the product of a ton of hard work and dedication on the part of the newest T-wolf. He reached out to UNBC coach Steve Simonson last year, to express his interest in working his way onto the roster. Adding a 23-year-old freshman to a varsity program is rare, but Singh is no ordinary recruit. Simonson welcomed him for a trial at the team’s preseason training camp, and was immediately impressed by his work ethic and love for the game.
“Sukhman was a great surprise, as a local in Prince George who reached out to us,” said Simonson. “Immediately, he gelled with the boys, and he is completely infectious with his work rate and positive approach to every day in training. He will be a positive addition to what we are building on and off the pitch. I am thrilled for him, and really excited to welcome him to the Timberwolves program.”
Born and raised in Punjab, India, Singh grew up playing the game. He took up goalkeeping in the sixth grade, but moved out to the center back position in high school. He suggests the experience playing defense as a major asset to his development as a keeper, allowing him to see the game better and understand the mentality of players all over the pitch.
“I was keen to play as a goaltender,” he said. “I love it. It is what I want to be on the soccer field. I just want to stop the goals. I don’t want my team losing. If I have more energy, I can boost that energy into my team. My defense gets the boost up and then they boost up the middle, and that is how we go on. When you step on the field, that could be the last match you play. So, I want to give 100 per cent. That’s what I think.”
Singh moved to Canada in 2015, and enrolled in CNC’s business management program. He spent three years away from the game he loved before getting back on the pitch in the men’s league in Prince George. However, he wasn’t the rec athlete who never tried to get better. Singh was constantly studying the game, identifying his strengths and weaknesses, and looking to improve technically and mentally.
“My reflexes are the main thing I see in myself, and that is coming from other people, too,” he said. “I always back up my people, vocally. I always try to let my defenders know, and my midfielders know what’s going on in that back and what’s going on in the middle. I keep pushing. I don’t stand waiting for ball to be hit on goal. I will push every single second in order to save the goal.”
The six-foot-one athlete is athletic and springy on his feet and possesses active hands with the ball in the air. He expects a major leap in the level of soccer on the pitch, but also anticipated a process to get comfortable with his new teammates. That worry was eased instantly by the culture of the T-wolves’ program and the student-athletes who grew to love their new goalkeeper immediately.
“Coming from a different region or a different race, sometimes you can expect to not be able to mix in the team,” Singh said. “But the guys are fabulous. I love it. They have been boosting me up every single time. I do love it. All the different groups coming together and we are all working on the same level, with the same goal. We go on the field and we always try to give 100 per cent to win.”
With players on the roster from Egypt, Germany, Mali, India, France, Jamaica, and Canada, there is no shortage of unique personalities and experiences wearing Timberwolf colours this season. For Singh, when he wears the UNBC kit on the opening day of the season it’ll be the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“Coming here, all the different people from different countries, and I don’t see a difference when we play,” he said. “We all seem to be equal. On the field, all you see is the ball. Nothing else. All the players work for the ball. We back each other up, and I believe that is good.”
