A devoted sports coach, Sanjay Rana has had an exquisite football career. He has represented Rajasthan in the esteemed Santosh Trophy and trained students who have gone on to excel internationally.

Currently posted in a school at Kotra Chavni, Udaipur, Sanjay Rana is a sports coach with the Rajasthan Education Department.

Sanjay is originally from Mount Abu in Rajasthan. He has a long history in football and has played for the national team and has also represented Rajasthan in the Santosh Trophy. He set out to become a football player after being inspired by seeing Lionel Messi, the captain of the Argentinian football team.

Sanjay recalls that he had tried his hand in hockey as a child and had a slight interest in it before putting it aside to protect himself from the injuries that heavy hockey sticks may cause. He decided to play football instead to make a career in the sport.

Sanjay did his BA and MA in Geography from MLSU after completing his elementary education at a government senior secondary school. He then enrolled himself in a Bachelor of Physical Education course in 2014.

His mother, whom he views as his role model, instilled in him the value of hard work, which he believes is the key to success in life. His mother's lessons inspired him and taught him the lesson that "Whoever works hard will eventually succeed in life."

Speaking about his family's difficulties, Sanjay reveals that his mother used to work as a peon for the municipality since his father passed away when he was only four years old. Sanjay has three siblings, and his mother had to put in a lot of effort to ensure their education.

Talking about his struggles, Sanjay remembers the time when he walked 35 kms to take his 10th standard examinations in order to save just 10 rupees. Sanjay concedes that his love for football contributed to his failure in the ninth grade.

Following two years of intense preparation for government jobs while living in a small room in Jodhpur, Sanjay and his three siblings were selected by the Education Department of Rajasthan. He fondly remembers how his mother was very proud of their accomplishment, as was the entire family. Additionally, his mother's dedication and hard work were also recognized as she received a well-deserved promotion from a peon to an accountant in the municipality.

Reflecting on his achievements, Sanjay says his journey in football gradually blossomed into a remarkable career. Representing his district and state, he earned his place among the top 100 players selected for the prestigious Santosh Trophy, representing Rajasthan in 2009. With persistent determination, Sanjay carved a career in football as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI), driven by his passion and led by a solid roadmap.

Beyond his personal accomplishments, Sanjay has also provided training to private school students, whom he coached to international success. Under his guidance, they proudly represented India on the football fields of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, which itself defines how Sanjay is proficient in his coaching.

Sanjay emphasizes more on participating in school competitions as a means of earning extra marks that open doors to national events. He underlines how important it is to have these credentials in order to get work in the sports industry.

He explains how, based on the degree of your recognitions, a specified number of marks are given to each certificate. A certificate at the national level, for example, is worth 28 marks, whereas certificates at the state level are worth 16 marks, with extra points for doing well in tests related to competitive sports, district champions get 16 points, and runner-ups get 8.

Sanjay’s advice to all young people is that perseverance is the key to success in life. Furthermore, Sanjay places a strong emphasis on the value of respecting and obeying your parents, acknowledging their indispensable advice and assistance on the path to realizing one's goals.