CHENNAI: Life has come full circle for Kalia Kulothungan! Starting off from the CFA Senior Division, the midfielder made his name in the I-League for three of the biggest clubs in the country. Having won most domestic honours, now he is back in the local league and wants to help his new club Chennai City FC create history.
Kulothungan came from Thanjavur to Chennai to play football and in the process get a job. He got offers from ICF but did not join. Picked up by FC Kochin as a 22-year-old, ‘Kulo’ as he is popularly called, he came under the spotlight with consistent performances in the National League. After scoring against East Bengal in a 2-2 draw, he was spotted by Subhash Bhowmick and the rest as they say is history!
He was a member of the legendary East Bengal team which won the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship and won back to back National League titles in 2002-03 and 2003-04. “My greatest memory is playing in front of one lakh people in the Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan. I had never imagined such scenes. Bhowmick was an incredible manager. I owe my career to him,” the 38-year-old told Express.
Kulothungan went on to play for Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata before turning out for Mumbai FC and Viva Kerala. Boasting of an incredible 13-year top flight career, Kulo wants to help Chennai City FC with his experience. “I have seen many ups and downs in my life. Thankfully, I have always been fit and not suffered many major injuries. I help the youngsters, relate incidents from my life which they can learn from,” he commented. Kulothungan feels the local football scene does not do enough for the game in the state. “Tamil Nadu players rarely get a chance to showcase their skills. Only a local league is not enough. The state team has been playing well in the Santosh Trophy but the players rarely get exposure.
“Earlier Indian Bank used to participate in the NFL. After their withdrawal, there has been no club. The ISL has helped with the popularity in these parts but grassroots is the way forward. Only then will the ‘beautiful game’ grow in the state,” he signed off.
Joseph Sparkles
OB Joseph struck a hat-trick (42nd, 74th & 87th) to help Chennai City FC beat ICF 4-1 in a Senior Division football match of the St Joseph’s – CFA league at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Results: Senior division: Chennai City FC 4 (OB Joseph 42nd, 74th & 87th, Morgan Justice 76th) bt ICF 1 (M Sathish Kumar 35th). MoM: OB Joseph.