Clement Pais
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 5: Football has a proud history of nearly 70 years in the coastal city. Mangalureans started playing football in 1942, but the game, though quite popular among youngsters, has evolved at a snail's pace here.
India is currently ranked 170th in by FIFA which speaks volumes about how football is growing in India. The situation of football in Mangaluru is just the tip of the iceberg.
Football is India’s second most popular sport, next to the game of cricket, but the interest shown to it is deeply disturbing. If football is supported at the grassroot level, we can change the face of the game in Mangaluru.
As a football fan, I decided to talk to the person who could throw light on the facts of football in Mangaluru. I met D M Aslam, chairman, Dakshina Kannada District Football Association (DKDFA), who has dedicated 25 years of his life to save football in the city.
Interestingly, Mangaluru has contributed many eminent footballers at the international and national-level. Sanjeev Uchil played for India in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. Many players represented Karnataka as well as Maharashtra in the Santhosh Trophy.
Mangaluru currently has 19 registered clubs for Late Ahmed Master Memorial Football League tournament, organized by DKDFA, which includes 9 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams.
Football in Mangaluru was resurrected after the start of the district-level Independence Cup in 1997. The first Independence Cup football tournament featured 20 teams, and by 2014, the number shot up to 214!
Football attracts more spectators than cricket. Independence Cup is considered the ‘mini World Cup of Mangaluru’, and the fact that all the schools and private clubs are making their best efforts to win the cup is indeed good news for Mangaluru.
“Many persons have shed sweat and blood to help the game flourish and reach this level. One important name is that of Palli Jayaram Shetty, former general manager of Vijaya Bank. He served as the president of the Association for a long time. Whenever we were in need, he helped us financially. He loved football very much. Now, his family members are continuing the good work,” says Aslam.
Poor infrastructure and maintenance
But the game has a long way to go. The government support is very low and league matches cannot be held with merely Rs 50,000 which is annually given by the Karnataka Football Association. The league matches are being conducted with the help of sponsors like banks, former players, and MNCs.
A good turf is the need of the hour. “We are ready to make a turf ground here. But we are not getting the required support from the MCC and authorities concerned. Players cannot play their natural game without turf, because of the fear of injuries,” he added.
“The ground is used for public event and afterwards it is dangerous for players with smashed bottles, garbage, and potholes in abundance. After a recent public event, there was even a toilet dug in the ground. The football ground is used for public events more than football,” added Aslam.
“The football pavilion is crying for improvement, for a changing room, proper water supply, rest rooms etc. The female players face huge problems during the tournament because of lack of facilities in the pavilion. The corners of the ground are used for defecation and at night for illicit activities. Destitute people use this ground as a shelter, cook, and sleep on the ground. The parking space is used for parking and repairing trucks leaving oil and grease everywhere,” lamented Alsam.
“Coaching is done once a year during the summer vacation, The irony is that professional trainers are available, parents are interested in sending the children, but the ground is not free for coaching, and when free, it is not fit for playing,” he added.
What is the solution?
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, India's biggest ever cleanliness drive, is on in full swing and keeping this in mind people can stop littering the ground. Waste bins must be placed and the MCC has to clear the garbage often.
The ground does not have a gate and one should be installed and locked when it is not being used for football. The stadium has to be used only for football and not for public events. MCC has to find a solution soon in the form of an alternative place to organize public events. If not that, then an exclusive football stadium has to be constructed.
Nothing is impossible, we just need a willing heart and dedication, and of course wholehearted support from the government and private sectors. Let’s all wish that Mangaluru gets an exclusive football stadium and produces world class players.