KOCHI:Gone are the days when Malayalees used to dominate football teams across the country. I M Vijayan, V P Sathyan, U Sharaf Ali, C V Pappachan and K T Chacko donned the Indian blue together in the 1990s, but Kerala’s representation these days has been limited to a C K Vineeth or a Rino Anto who are in and out of the national team.
Taking the onus from Kerala in the recent years is the North East India. Ten out of the 21 players that represented the country at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup came from this region with eight from Manipur alone. It is no surprise that the North East domination is noticeable in the Kerala Blasters squad as well.
Blasters have eight players from three North Eastern states. Jackichand Singh, Ognam Milan Singh, Siam Hanghal, Pritam Kumar Singh and Loken Meitei hail from Manipur while young defenders Laruatthara and Lalthakima are from Mizoram and right back Samuel Shadap comes from Meghalaya. Along with assistant coach Thangboi Singto, they make a strong North East core at the Kochi club.
“North East is, was and will continue to be the footballing hub for India. Because football is part of survival for the people there,” says Singto, former head coach of Shillong Lajong FC in the I-League. “Football is in the hearts and minds of the North East people and it is a means of a better life,” he adds.
“Everybody loves football in the North East,” says Pritam, who reunited with Singto having played under him for three years at Lajong “If you take a look at Manipur, they have proper coaching system to train players at U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-19 levels,” says the India-19 international who was inspired by his uncle, former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal star Dharamjit Singh, to take up football.
“And it’s not just football. Sports like badminton are fast catching up. Much of it is thanks to the support from the families of the youngsters. Parents now realise their kids can earn by turning a pro-footballer,” says Siam, the former Bengaluru FC man. “Growing up we see seniors kicking the ball around and we try to imitate their football skills, movements and even their hairstyles and dressing,” he adds.
“It is hard for the youngsters to find a job in the private sector and provide for their families. Football gives them an opportunity to do that,” says coach Singto. “There is also huge support coming in from the state governments as well as the corporates that keep football going in the region,” says India international Jackichand who was picked by Blasters for Rs 55 lakh in the player draft.
Perhaps that is where the Beautiful Game has been lacking in the God’s Own Country. “It is easy to play the blame game, but everyone has to take the responsibility. The state government cannot do everything alone. In states like Meghalaya and Manipur, the government builds football fields and sends their coaches trained. They also have good connections with national academies,” Singto says.
“The difference is big businesses in the region pumping money into football which is never a profitable business. We have Robert Royte of Aizawl FC (Mizoram), Larsing Ming Sawyan of Shillong Lajong FC and Naoba Thangjam of Neroca FC (Manipur) who are all top businessmen who are so passionate about the game. Profit making is not their priority,” Singto adds.
Though Kerala football might have taken a few steps back, one point that they all agree is about the fans here. “I have played in almost all the states in the North East as well as Kolkata. Some time back, I used to think the Kolkata crowd were the best, but they are no match for the Kerala fans,” says Jackichand, named after superstar Jackie Chan by his parents.
“Kerala has had players like Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri. Vineeth is continuing that tradition now. We hope young Blasters players like Jishnu Balakrishnan and Sahal Abdul Samad as well as the players who come up through our training programme will make Kerala proud in the coming years,” Singto says.