Former India footballer now an executive member in Hyderabad Cricket Association
Debasis Sen, Hyderabad: Former Indian footballer and a hero in many Kolkata derby, Victor Amalraj got nostalgic about Sunday’s epic dual between arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in I League at Siliguri. Amalraj, who has donned both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan jersey’s during the 80’s is now the executive committee member of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
Amalraj, who holds an unique record of leading both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, got surprised to hear about the derby being played at Siliguri. According to Amalraj, “Is it so? The derby tomorrow will be held at Siliguri. It was never the case during our time.”
Amalraj, who is now the Sports Secretary of Food Corporation of India, is busy these days spotting talents in Hyderabad apart from his role in HCA. The former footballer still is in touch with his former teammates Aloke Mukherjee and Atanu Bhattacharya.
“How is Gautam(Sarkar), Manas(Bhattacharya) and Bidesh(Bose)? We shared some lovely moments during our prime days,” the former midfielder gets nostalgic while speaking to xtratime.in at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Amalraj, who came to Calcutta during the end of 70’s played for all the three Kolkata giants. During his stint in Kolkata for 14 years, he was part of many golden moments for both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. One he still remembers was the goal he scored for Mohun Bagan against East Bengal in the Rovers Cup final of 1988 at the Cooperage.
“I have scored quite a few goals in derby but the one that I still remember was the goal I scored against East Bengal to help Mohun Bagan become the champions of Rovers Cup,” says Amalraj.
On being asked whether he will follow the derby on Sunday, Amalraj said, “I will definitely follow the derby on Sunday on TV. I do not find time to keep a track of the players and the matches these days. But still I will definitely sit in front of the TV.”
He got very emotional to speak about the state of football in Hyderabad. The city of Nizam has produced some of the greatest names in India football like Rahim Saab, Md Habib, Akbar, Shabbir Ali, Syed Nayeemuddin.
“The football association has made a mockery about themselves. The local league is very much neglected. The association office remains closed for most part of the day. It is painful to see no one caring for football in the state which had produced some great footballers in the past.”