They are 50 plus but their passion for the beautiful game has kept them going. Not only do they practise regularly but these footballers also demonstrated their energy level by finishing runners-up in the all-India football competition.
The state where football lags way behind cricket, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recruits of the 1980s - Vijay Kachhy, Dharampal Singh Rajput, Abdul Shaikh and Hasmukh Rathod - continue to run after their first love. In the company of some young compatriots, their routine includes sweating it out for two hours at the railway ground in Sabarmati, honing their soccer skills for competitive play.
“We make it a point to assemble and play football everyday. Not everyone is able to make it, especially the one who handles the cash department in the bank. But apart from weekends, we rarely miss an opportunity to dribble the ball,” said Kachhy, an assistant manager.
Interestingly, when Kachhy and Co made football as part of their day-to-day life, the only reason was their love for the game. But now the agenda has changed. “Fitness is not the only reason. We want to instil confidence in the management, which has stopped recruiting people under sports quota. We believe this will encourage them and sportspersons will be recruited frequently again,” said Kachhy, who is also senior selector in the Ahmedabad District Football Association.
Kachhy’s physical prowess can be measured from the fact that at the age of 52, he led RBI-Ahmedabad last year to the runners-up position in All India RBI championships. After defeating strong Mumbai and Delhi in the earlier rounds, Ahmedabad lost the final to Kolkata, which had former India goalkeeper Hemant Dora in its line-up.
The old jewels of RBI have been an inspiration for the second generation, 1999 recruits, which includes Rajiv Karir, Rajesh Tadvi, Anil Tomar and Dashrath Parmar. “Their efforts and commitment is also one of the reasons that bring us on the ground. We will follow in their footsteps and keep the game alive,” said Karir, a prolific scorer in the local league. The chemistry they all share is also amazing. The mutual understanding has developed into a special bonding. And it shows at the railway football ground.
