In a heart warming gesture, former India captain Sunil Chhetri turned ‘Secret Santa’ and gifted his Bengaluru FC teammate Chinglensana Singh an Indian Super League medal as a gift on Wednesday.

Chinglensana, who hails from Manipur, has endured a tough time in recent years with his home state embroiled in ethnic violence since May last year.

The 28-year-old centre back had lost his home in the riots, which took place at Khumujamba.

He lost nearly all precious belongings in the violence and it included his treasured Indian Super League medal, which he had won with Hyderabad FC in March 2022.

So, when Chhetri picked out Chinglensana’s name for Secret Santa celebrations last week, he knew exactly what to gift.

“I do not think words will be enough to describe this feeling,” Chinglensana said in a video posted by Bengaluru FC.

“The moments I had while winning the trophy were very, very special. So when I am reminded of how things were…it’s very emotional.

“As coach says, ‘we are a family’ and this can only be done to a family member,” he added.

Chinglensana also thanked Chhetri and the team for reminding him of his past and what he had lost during the course of the violence at his home and what he is yet to achieve.

“For sure, we are going to win this medal again,” he said.

“When bhai (Chhetri) presented this, I told him, ‘We are going to win this together this time.’

“It’s a good reminder why I am here, why we are together and what we are going to do this season,” Chinglensana added.

Bengaluru FC are currently placed second in the 2024-25 Indian Super League standings after 12 matches, two points adrift of table toppers Mohun Bagan Super Giant.