- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
SPORTS
Future tense for Mahindra United kitman
Kamal Das, a Jharkhand native, has been with the disbanded club for 12 years.
Updated : Sep 28, 2017, 08:06 PM IST
TRENDING NOW
)
AR Rahman, Saira Banu's daughter Raheema opens up on parents' divorce being linked to Mohini Dey: 'Always remember...'
)
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni reveals Rishi Kapoor's last two wishes: 'He wanted to see Ranbir Kapoor getting...'
)
Sana Khan, former Bigg Boss contestant, actress announces 2nd pregnancy with Anas Saiyad: 'Only Allah has power to..'
)
'Good to be back': After breaking up with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor reunites with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'
)
'Your dance lightens up...': Little girl's dance on 'Tere Bina na Guzara E' steals hearts online, WATCH viral video
)
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
)
Meet Imsha Rehman, Pakistani TikTok star who deactivated her accounts after video leak and Minahil Malik's MMS
)
This Pakistani Influencer's private video leaked online, days after Minahil Malik and Insha Rehman's clips
)
32-year-old superstar forcibly kissed 15-year-old co-star; left her traumatised, crying; later laughed about it saying..
)
Amid Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan says 'not my daughter' in viral video
)
Telecom rules to change from January 1, Mukesh Ambani's Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL will be affected due to...
)
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
)
AR Rahman's bassist Mohini Dey reacts to her split linked with composer's divorce with Saira Banu: 'I know exactly..'
)
Gandii Baat, XXX actress Aabha Paul sets Instagram on fire with hot photos
)
Meet Mathira Khan, Pakistani influencer whose private video leaked after Minahil Malik, Imsha Rehman
Like millions, Kamal Das came to Mumbai from Jharkhand 12 years ago in search of greener pastures. He came here with nothing but baggage of expectations from his family. Now Das earns a stable livelihood, is married and works for one of the most prestigious football clubs in India. “It is the city of dreams. It gives you anything you want,” says Das.
Das’s dreams lasted for 12 years. Now he is experiencing nightmares. Mahindra United’s decision to disband has left him shaken. A masseur and kit-man, Das will effectively be rendered jobless after Mahindra play their final match against JCT at the Cooperage on Thursday.
Das joined Mahindra United in 1998 after a brief stint with Bengal Mumbai Football Club. “I don’t know what I will do now,” he says, his voice choking. “Whatever I have today is because of Mahindra. They have been very kind to me.”
The 33-year-old is perhaps one of the most famous persons not only in the club but also the colony where the players and the staff are put up in the suburb of Kandivli. And for some players, he has been a father figure. “He was more than just a ball boy or a kit-man. He looked after the players who stay in the colony and made sure they got best arrangements,” says India and Mahindra winger Steven Dias.
“Sometimes, he even went to the airport to pick up the foreign players. No one knew better how to take care of players than him,” Dias’s teammate K Ajayan chips in.
While it will be relatively easy for the players and coaches to find another club, Das is worried about his future. “Every club has their own masseur and kitman so it is not easy to get a job elsewhere. And I cannot afford to change the city,” he says.
Though he feels ignored by the management, Das remains optimistic of Mahindra continuing to employ him with some other department. “I have tried speaking to the Mahindra officials. It’s such a big organisation with thousands of employees. They can surely afford to employ one more. Though I can just hope and pray,” he adds.
