India U20 goalkeeper Suraj Aheibam overcomes social media distraction
India U20 goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam improved his performance after quitting social media, adopting a disciplined routine. His decision paid off with a key role in India’s SAFF U19 triumph and leadership in the ongoing SAFF U20 Championship
Hyderabad: Social media can quietly disrupt an athlete’s routine, turning short breaks into long distractions and slowly affecting focus, recovery and performance.
For young players chasing consistency, the impact can be even greater. India U20 men’s goalkeeper Suraj Singh Aheibam experienced this first-hand.
The night of April 14, 2025, was difficult for Suraj. Classic Football Academy had just lost the Reliance Foundation Development League 2024-25 final 0-3 to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. As disappointment lingered, the Classic FA goalkeeper found himself reflecting not just on the result, but on his own routine. Hours spent scrolling through social media, late nights and constant distractions had slowly crept into his life. That evening, the realisation was clear. If he wanted to grow, something had to change. Within hours, Suraj deleted his Instagram and other social media accounts, choosing discipline over distraction.
“I had become a social media addict, and I would be doomscrolling all the time,” Suraj said in an interaction with the-aiff.com during the ongoing SAFF U20 Championship in Maldives. “I would watch reels after breakfast and lunch, and whenever I had free time. But the worst was after dinner. I would go back to my bedroom and keep watching reels for two to three hours,” he added.
As a result of watching reels till late at night, Suraj woke up tired and struggled to maintain focus during training. Recognising the adverse impact, he decided to take a complete break. The move helped him introduce discipline into his routine. He began sleeping earlier, paying more attention to recovery, improving his diet and structuring his day around training. The clarity in his schedule also quickly reflected in his performances.
Within a month, the results followed. On May 18, 2025, Suraj produced a defining moment in the SAFF U19 Championship final in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh. With the match tied 1-1 after regulation time, he saved the decisive penalty from Bangladesh’s Salahuddin Sahed to help India win the tie-breaker and lift the title.
“It validated my move. It showed how social media addiction could hamper your performance. When I stayed away, I felt calm and could focus clearly. During the penalty, I was completely in the moment,” said Suraj.
The 18-year-old reactivated his accounts only after the triumph, but the mindset had changed. The emphasis now remained on balance and discipline. “Now, I have changed my habit. I would go back to my room and watch a few YouTube videos about goalkeeping and then go to sleep at 10:30 pm sharp. Even when I am not watching YouTube, I would rather listen to some Manipuri music than go on social media and watch reels,” he said.
The maturity also coincided with another milestone as Suraj secured his first Indian Super League contract with Bengaluru FC last year. Already a winner of SAFF U16, U17 and U19 titles, he now embraces greater responsibility as he is also leading the India U20 side in the ongoing SAFF U20 Championship.
“I had a different mindset before I became a captain. Now, there is extra responsibility and I want to be a disciplinarian,” he said.
Suraj also draws inspiration from former Manchester City goalkeeper and current Fenerbahçe custodian Ederson, particularly for his distribution and composure with the ball. “I follow Ederson’s playing style. He is very good with his feet, and I try to follow that style, how he distributes the ball and how he can launch a counterattack quickly,” he added.
A key figure in his development has been former India midfielder Renedy Singh, who worked with him at Classic Football Academy and Bengaluru FC.
“Renedy sir has done a lot for me. He has bought boots, goalkeeping gloves, and I stayed in his home for more than two years. When I go to Manipur, I stay with him. He has also given me good advice: train hard and maintain modern discipline,” Suraj said.
The guidance continues. Before leaving for the SAFF U20 Championship, Suraj spoke with his mentor. “I keep chatting with him, and I had a chat with him before coming to the tournament. He asked me not to lose to any team. The goal is to keep winning and go till the end,” he said.
India will face Bhutan in the semi-final of the SAFF U20 Championship on April 1 at 21:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel.
