We started walking in 2012. And, the god has been kind enough to gift the Dilliwalas (people who are from Delhi) a new year gift which is insane. The world is going in for a "Ga Ga India" and we are all set to reap its benefits. Yes, the design behind such a huge opportunity may have emanated from the economic prowess of Mother India. Sports is no different from any other industry or sector which is bleeding in the so called "First World" and they are increasingly expanding their presence in the new economic hot spots like India. But whatever the reason may be, we are lucky enough to witness history being created in Delhi this January. It is almost impossible to sit back and wait. It feels like so close yet so far.
A tough young boy with talent from a small village in North East India made it big. He did it with his immense talent and skill, his precise and tough disciplined life which he dedicated to his passion. His passion was akin to many from this beautiful part of India. Boys love to kick it around and dribble it around and girls would love to cheer it. Its a poor men's game and , yeah, you bet, its the most popular sport in this world. Football is life in North East India. And, Baichung Bhutia was no different.
This lad from Tinkitam village in mountainous Sikkim came, saw and conquered the football and lived his dream. I M Vijayan, another wonderful footballer of India, described Baichung as a "God's Gift to Indian football." His speed, accuracy, reflexes and intelligence had helped to improve the scenario of football in an otherwise cricket crazy country. He showed to his own nation that he, along with many others, has it to make the cut. This illustrious career as a player is coming to an end when he will formally retire from professional playing as he will lead the Team India to a wonderful match on January 10, 2012.
The exit of this wonderful player from India ever has to be grandeur. And, yes, we expected it right when the Deutsche Football legendary club Bayern Munchen comes to this part of the world to bid farewell to Baichung along with his teammates. Its no fake news that the full strength and full bench of Bayern Munchen is coming to New Delhi and, if newspaper reports are to be believed, the club will place a full strength team against Baichung Bhutia led India XI Football team.
If you wished for a dream, your god just granted your wish to become a reality. Yes, you get to see Germany's World Cup captain Philip Lahm leading the team which will have (take a deep breath, or you may fall short of it) World Cup 2010 Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller, star striker Mario Gomez, "Jewel of French football" (as described by none other than God himself, Zinedien Zidane) Franck Ribery, Dutch superpower Arjen Robben, German superstar midfielder Bastian Schweinsteigar et al. Phew!
Its not about a result, its not about all the business angles involved, its not about just football. Its about the respect that an Indian footballer has earned in the international football scenario. A gentleman, in his truest essence, Baichung happily posed for a photograph, shared his own opinions and also listened to other's points of views when I met him recently in Delhi. I felt poignant to see that Baichung is still a kid when he has the football with him. He plays the ball with same innocence and he is still very much in love with the game. It was a wonderful sight when he played with young kids and showed them a trick or two and still laughing with them on it. For a person like Baichung, we have a memorable match at hand. I hope that Baichung keep on walking on his chosen path of popularising and improving the standard of football in the country. And, as people say, make it a mainstream sport. Lets watch him in action again at the J N Stadium in Delhi! Come on 10th Jannuary!
Its not about a result, its not about all the business angles involved, its not about just football. Its about the respect that an Indian footballer has earned in the international football scenario. A gentleman, in his truest essence, Baichung happily posed for a photograph, shared his own opinions and also listened to other's points of views when I met him recently in Delhi. I felt poignant to see that Baichung is still a kid when he has the football with him. He plays the ball with same innocence and he is still very much in love with the game. It was a wonderful sight when he played with young kids and showed them a trick or two and still laughing with them on it. For a person like Baichung, we have a memorable match at hand. I hope that Baichung keep on walking on his chosen path of popularising and improving the standard of football in the country. And, as people say, make it a mainstream sport. Lets watch him in action again at the J N Stadium in Delhi! Come on 10th Jannuary!
We will miss you Baichung!
1 comment:
a fitting tribute to a very iconic athlete. though he didn't achieve anything extraordinary (read World cup, european football etc)in his lifetime, but when India develops in football in the future, Bhutia will be recognised as a prelude to Indian football's revival. probably the Ranji of indian football.
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