Indian football’s linkman Success Speak

I was born on December 16, 1958 in Bolaram, Hyderabad. Till Class VIII I studied in our neighbourhood’s Valerian Grammar School. Cricketer-turned-administrator N Shivlal Yadav was my classmate. I was a front bencher in my school and was very good in mathematics and English.

I come from a sporting family, my dad used to play hockey and cricket, my uncle and elder brother were footballers. I grew up watching quality footballers. Olympians P Thangaraj and T Balaram, were from my area. Even Bolaram boasted of the players of the caliber of A Patrick, K P Dhanraj, D Kannan and John Victor to name a few. They influenced my decision to take up football. My first big break came when I was in seventh standard. I was part of the junior Indian team in Asian Youth Championship that was held in Tehran.

I can say that I could not concentrate much on studies. Around 70 per cent of time in schooling went either for practice sessions or playing matches. However, I managed to fare well in my academics as well even after I shifted to Bolaram High School. In 1976 I represented Andhra Pradesh in the B C Roy Trophy in Srinagar. We defeated the formidable West Bengal by a solitary goal. Incidentally, I netted the winner.

I used to live in Ammuguda Bazaar from where public transport was not as efficient as it exists today. I used to practice in Nampally for four hours each day. The nearest railway station from my house was seven kilometres away but I would walk all the till the station to catch the first local at 4:20am. Many footballers from that area would often miss the train.

Now I can say that people who missed that train could not do well in their career. Early in my career, Indian Railways offered me a job as TC. However, my brother John Victor (then a big name) advised me against taking up job by shifting to Calcutta (now Kolkata), the nerve-centre of Indian football. It proved prophetic because I rose in stature since moving over.

In 1978 I went to Calcutta and joined Mohammedan Sporting. The way people played there was very professional compared to Hyderabad. And local populace was crazy about the sport. I did my Intermediate in Calcutta. Every day in the morning we used to have practice session for four hours. And after practice I used to be so tired that I could not attend classes. I had to hire tuition teacher to cope with studies. And I am glad that I did that.

As I was playing for one of the elite clubs, people started to recognise me. After representing East Bengal in 1981 and 1982, I went back to Sporting in 1983. From 1984 to 1990, I played for Mohun Bagan. I have the rare distinction of captaining three clubs in Bengal.

Two years after making my national debut, I was the captain of the Indian team during the President's Cup held at Dhaka in 1983. The team defeated some top Asian teams. However, we lost in the semifinals to a team from United Kingdom. In the same year we played against Brazil’s famed Sao Paulo subsequent to which the visiting team coach praised me for my game. That marks a significant high point of my career.

In Nehru Cup tournament I played against an Argentinean side. The team consisted of Jorge Burruchaga and Pumpido Neri and Carlos Bilardo was the coach of that team. Playing for the national side is one of the best moments of my life. Meeting the President and the Prime Minister and wearing the national colours was of great importance to me.

After my +2 I could not do graduation because of my hectic career. And I regret that terribly. If I get a chance to go back in time, I will definitely complete my graduation keeping my football career aside. I have been working in FCI for the last 35 years where I have risen to the post of Deputy General Manager. A degree in hand could have perhaps put me in a higher position.

I am also the executive committee member of the present body of Hyderabad Cricket Association. Whenever I go to the events I urge youngsters to focus on education as equally as they focus on their game. Education and knowledge are very crucial in one’s growth. I strongly believe that education should not take a backseat come what may.

Told to Navin Pivhal