By Prerna Malhotra
Returning to the field this year, more fit, sharp and determined than ever, Somtirtha Singha Choudhury, captain and goalkeeper, Karle Infra, has become one of the most inspiring stories of the DH Cup 2025. His transformation didn’t begin in the gym, but in a moment of pain, limitation and the fear of losing the game he loved.
“After last year’s tournament, things went downhill for me,” he recalls. Severe back and knee pain pushed him to the edge. Doctors advised him to stop playing, even suggesting surgery. “Football is my passion. When I realised I couldn’t even bend without pain, I fell into a loop of weight gain and depression. At one point, I touched 100 kg. It felt like there was no coming back.”
But that moment became the turning point. With professional guidance and a disciplined programme, Somtirtha shifted to what he calls real fitness – a combination of structured workouts and mindful nutrition. “Fitness doesn’t start on the field – it starts in the kitchen. Once that clicked, everything changed.”
Support from colleagues, including an ex-NSG officer, helped him build a fitness tribe at work that kept him accountable and inspired.
Today, at 40, he feels stronger and more confident than he did in his 30s. And it shows on the field. Team Karle, a young and developing squad, has won two matches this season – a first in their DH Cup journey. “When I make a good save, it lifts the whole team. The energy spreads.”
But the moment that truly moved him was hearing how his journey motivated others. “If my story inspires even one person to take their health seriously, that’s my biggest win.”
As for the tournament goal? “Baby steps. This year, we’ve won matches. Next year, we’re coming for the knockouts.”
In sport and life in general, Somtirtha’s story is proof that discipline, courage and belief can rewrite any comeback.