Indian football legend SS ‘Babu’ Narayan was almost in tears after the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) honoured him at a ceremony on Saturday evening.
The 79-year-old former goalkeeper represented India in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. MDFA chairman Ashish Shelar felicitated him at a suburban hotel in the presence of the city’s football fraternity. Marto Gracias, Santosh Kashyap, Steven Dias, former India hockey stars Joaquim Carvalho, MM Somaiya and Gurbux Singh were also felicitated.
Narayan has had to wait more than 50 years for this honour. “I don’t want to grumble, but it is sad when your own state does not recognise your efforts. After doing so much for WIFA (West India Football Association) and winning so many trophies, we did not get our dues,” said a dejected Narayan, who proudly wore his Rome Olympics blazer at the event.
He recalled the golden era of Indian football, the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympics. “Our team improved under coach under Syed Abdul Rahim Saab.
After losing badly in the 1952 Finland Games, we did well to get to the semifinals of the 1956 Olympics in Australia. However, we lost the bronze medal match to Bulgaria 0-3,” he reminisced.
“Some played barefoot in the Games. It wasn’t banned then. Only later did they wear their shoes,” Narayan said.
The Kerala-born footballer lamented the current state of Mumbai football.
“During our times, a huge crowd would watch games at Cooperage. Even the lower division teams would get a sizeable number of spectators. Later, two bodies WIFA and MDFA would run the game. Later, WIFA got divided and MDFA was born. WIFA organised the Rovers Cup and MDFA the Harwood League,” he said.
Narayan didn’t foresee a future in Mumbai football. “Earlier, Mumbai would provide quite a few players to the Indian team. It’s not the same anymore. Lack of grounds has affected the game. Even the Elite Division matches weren’t played this season. Players pursue the game till school but disappear from the scene. I don’t see a solution,” he added.
