THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Othallo Tabia began playing football on the beaches of Valiyathura here at the age of 13, casually with his young friends and children around the locality. He might not have taken the game seriously at first, but Tabia has since gone far as a footballer.
Born to a poor fishermen’s family, Tabia soon realised that he could tread a path to success by playing football.
Now one of the most consistent performers from Kerala in the I-League, the country’s top-division football league, with Pune Football Club, he has proved himself right.
“In the coastal area, children who do not play football at one or the other level are rare. That is why the region has produced a lot of footballers over the years. Even though my brothers played football too, I was the one who was lucky enough to get noticed,” said Tabia.
Starting with his school team and then his college, Mahatma Gandhi College, Tabia turned professional through Travancore Titanium XI at the age of 18. His solid performances for Titanium earned him a contract with National Football League side Mahindra United of Mumbai.
Though winning the Federation Cup and top division during the three years with Mahindra, the period was also marred by a knee injury which required an operation and lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He then joined Viva Kerala FC in 2008 before making the move to his current club Pune FC.
“Having had the experience of playing in tournaments across Kerala, taking the field in NFL with Mahindra was not a huge challenge. And with Viva Kerala, I was able to play for a team from my state in the national second division,” Tabia said.
He has been a very reliable right back for Pune FC in the past few seasons who is also not afraid of going forward when the team wants him to.
With his current contract with Pune running out at the end of the season, Tabia is now considering options for the new season.
“I am still negotiating with Pune FC and would be more than happy to stay with the club for another year,” he said.
He is also optimistic about the upcoming Indian Super League and hopes to make an appearance in the future editions of the tournament.
“It is a good thing for football if the league goes well. Anyway, I will be keeping an eye on its progress,” Tabia said.