Q&A Session with FC Banaras Baghpat Left Back Hiti Seb

Q&A Session with 20 year old Naga Left Back Hiti Seb who recetly won the I-League 3 with FC Banaras Baghpat.

1. Can you tell us about your childhood in Kohima, Nagaland? What was growing up like?

Growing up, football was at the centre of my life. In school, my friends and I would always play football during lunch breaks and free periods, and talk about footballers, football boots, and the game itself. After school, I would play in the streets with my younger brother and neighbourhood friends. On weekends and holidays, we would go to the ground, rain or shine, play the whole day, and come back all dirty. I also grew up playing for my local team, Vanguard FC Tseminyu, in various local tournaments.

2. At what age did you first start playing football, and who introduced you to the sport?

I started playing football when I was around seven years old. My father introduced me to the game, but it was the 2014 FIFA World Cup that truly ignited my love and passion for football and inspired me to become a professional footballer.

3. How has your family supported your journey?

My family has always been incredibly supportive of my career. They had the courage and belief to send me to an academy at the age of 11 so I could develop as a player. During difficult times, they never told me to give up. Instead, they constantly provided moral and emotional support, helping me get back on my feet and keep going. For that, I am deeply grateful to God. My parents and siblings are also passionate football fans who understand how the system works. They watch all my matches, attend whenever possible, and we often discuss my performances, how I feel, and what the next steps should be. Their support has made my journey easier and has helped me make important decisions throughout my career.

4. You started playing professionally at just 15 years old for Sudeva Delhi FC U18s in the Hero I-League. Tell us about your journey.

In 2017, after trials in Kohima, I joined Sudeva Delhi FC at the age of 11. I progressed through the U13s, U15s, U18s and eventually the reserve team. I am extremely grateful to the club for laying the foundation of my football career. I’ve built lifelong friendships there. Plus, I learned valuable lessons which are still instilled in me to this day. I left the club in 2023 at the age of 17.

5. You spent 6 years at Sudeva Delhi FC before moving to NorthEast United FC. What was the most challenging part of leaving that club, and how was your transition at your new club?

At the time, Sudeva Delhi FC was an I-League team, so the plan was always to work my way through the youth ranks and eventually break into the senior team. However, things did not go as planned. In 2020, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and it took me more than a year to fully recover. When I returned, I was out of shape and struggled with fitness and physical issues. By then, the club had brought in several new players, which meant I had very limited opportunities to play. As a result, I made the difficult and risky decision to leave both the club and my comfort zone and start from scratch again. After leaving in 2023, I attended trials at three different ISL clubs but was rejected by all three. Eventually, I got the opportunity to play for Tarun Sangha FC in the Delhi Premier League 2023/24 and later had a short stint with Rajasthan United FC Reserves. During the summer of 2024, Northeast United FC held open trials across the Northeast. By God’s grace, I was one of the few players selected from over 3000 players to sign a professional contract with an ISL club. The transition was challenging because it was the first time I truly experienced the pressure and criticism that come with professional football. While you start getting paid, gain access to the best facilities, you also face VERY heavy expectations and pressure to perform. I was not fully prepared for that reality, but it taught me how to handle pressure and helped shape my character.

6. How is life post-promotion at Banaras Baghpat?

Life after securing promotion to the I-League 2 has been amazing. It is the first major trophy and achievement of my career and a memory that I will cherish forever. Credit goes to everyone at the club, from the players to the staff and especially to my coach Vivek Singh for the trust and belief he had in me. He helped me adapt smoothly to a new position at left-back, and I am grateful that I was able to play an important role in the team’s successful campaign.

7. Who are your football idols or players you look up to?

There are two players whom I admire not only as footballers but also as people. The first is Lionel Messi because of his humility despite being regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time. The second is Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze. During his younger years, he was rejected and overlooked by several clubs, but his faith in God kept him going. His journey inspired me greatly and gave me hope during some of the most difficult periods of my own career.

8. What advice would you give to young footballers from Nagaland who dream of playing professionally?

Hard work and discipline are essential, but an area I believe young Naga footballers should pay more attention to is the mental and psychological side of the game. Earlier in my career, I struggled with confidence and self-esteem, but working on those aspects completely transformed my game and helped me reach the professional level. Always be your biggest fan and believe that you are capable of achieving what other players are achieving, or even more. Another piece of advice I would give is to be prepared to make sacrifices. Professional football is very different from how it appears on the surface. It demands sacrifices involving family, loved ones, comfort, time, social life, and mental well-being. While the journey can be rewarding, it can also be exhausting and lead to burnout. That is why it is important to build an identity beyond football and develop a life outside the sport.

My advice is to never live someone else’s life. Be true to yourself, stay authentic, and remain faithful to the vision God has given you. Be willing to take a leap of faith towards your dreams and be rooted in discipline. As always, cultivate the spirit of humility and prioritise God in whatever you do.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, and what legacy do you want to leave as a footballer?

In five years’ time, God willing, I hope to still be playing football at the highest level possible and perhaps representing the national team. The legacy I want to leave goes beyond football. I want to be remembered as someone whose life reflected God’s work and whose journey helped others see what God can do through faith, perseverance, and dedication.