A player like Bhaichung is entitled to choose when to go

It was at the Durand Cup semi-final in 1993 when a 16-year-old full of energy first made an impression in the presence of Kolkatas football elite.

It was at the Durand Cup semi-final in 1993 when a 16-year-old full of energy first made an impression in the presence of Kolkatas football elite. Playing against Border Security Force,Bhaichung Bhutia scored the winner for East Bengal,deep into extra time. He had made all the right noises till then,but that one leap to meet a Carlton Chapman cross,made him a matchwinner.

His journey had started in the summer of 92 when State Bank of India organised a coaching camp at Gangtok and two former India players,Bhaskar Ganguly and Surojit Sengupta were sent talent scouting. Bhaichung impressed us on the first day of the camp. He was only 15 but very good in receiving,passing and finishing from inside the box. More importantly,he showed great dedication and a willingness to learn. We suggested his name to the then secretary of East Bengal Club Paltu Das and he agreed to give Bhaichung a trial. He passed the test and the club offered him a contract. That was Bhaichungs initiation into Kolkata football, Ganguly told The Indian Express.

However,it was difficult for a class X student to leave his home and shift base. Initially he was nervous and reluctant but we persuaded him. I told him that if he wanted to become a professional footballer then he mustnt let the offer go. We talked to his parents as well,explaining them the situation and got their permission. Once that was done,he took little time to settle down in the Maidan, Ganguly recalls.

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Fitness has always been Bhutias strong point and he had a solid foundation as well. Shyamal Ghosh,the East Bengal coach at that time,was instrumental in shaping his career. He had entered as a kid and I had to use him judiciously. I had to ensure he was not unsettled by the extreme physicality of the Calcutta league. So the first year,I used him sparingly. He used to pester me to give him more game time but I told him to wait. He never skipped practice though,rather he started training harder with an eye on the first team berth, Ghosh says.

He was a natural striker. His technique was excellent. And even as a youngster he had a very good sense of positioning. His headers were very strong as well everything that makes a good striker. We all knew he would make it big, Ghosh recounts.

After that winning goal in the Durand Cup,a match against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan,with a strong defence led by Tarun Dey,was the first step to his star status in Indian football. He handled stardom very well and never let off-field provocations affect his focus. I have seen some top talents digress because of Kolkatas night life. But Bhaichung was willing to sacrifice,because football was his top priority. Thats why he has lasted so long, Ganguly says.

The former India goalkeeper doesnt want to compare but insists that Bhutia is the face of Indian football. Before him,there was no global interest in Indian football. Now when we see him playing alongside the Zidanes and Seedorfs in exhibitions,we feel proud. Before he took this decision,he asked for our suggestions. I told him it was the right time to go. A player like Bhaichung is entitled to choose his own time.