Obed Kahmei,is the unlikely winner of the title for the leading goal scorer of the DSA Senior Division league which got over last week. People always tell me that they expected the top goal scorer to be a foreign player some Nigerian. They think that he must be big and powerful looking. When I tell them that in fact I have the most goals they get surprised, says the slightly-built resident of Vasant Kunj who finished with nine goals including a hat-trick in the tournament. What is a further surprise in his resume is that he was the top scorer last year as well. Obed,24,didnt come to the capital expecting to be a footballer. Originally from a small Manipuri village,50 km away from Imphal,he was studying for a Political Science degree from Jamia Millia Islamia University. His next aim was to apply for the civil services. I always loved the game. I played football in school but I was more of the studious type. When I came to Delhi,I was playing for fun but a few of my friends advised me to give a trial and surprisingly I got in, he says. Even more surprisingly,Obed began his career directly in the senior division with Moonlight FC,skipping the easier B and A division. Even after playing for some other strong senior division clubs,his thirst to do more hasnt subsided. All my life I have been wanting to come to Delhi. I even managed to represent Delhi in the Santosh Trophy three years ago. But now all I want is to be able to make it out of here. Last year Carlton Chapman saw me playing for Hindustan FC and recommended that I play in Shillong. He helped me get selected for Royal Wahingdoh and I played some matches for them during the Shillong league last winter. It was a good experience to play with good players. Because he spent much of his time on the bench for Wahingdoh,Obed returned to the capital to play for Delhi United. Victory in the senior division has given Delhi United admission to the Durand Cup and that brings him more hope of finding new opportunities. The Durand Cup will be very important. Delhi United has helped me out a lot but to be honest I would want to play outside in better leagues. I think our club has a good chance at least in the initial stages and I think I will be able to make an impression. I once got an offer to give a trial for Sesa Goa,who play in the second division of the I-league. At that point I was playing for Royal Wahingdoh and I wanted to cement my place in that club,so I decided not to go. Unfortunately the Wahingdoh coach preferred his own players. In between trying to make a name for himself as a football player,Obed has to also manage expectations from home. My parents keep asking me about my studies and I keep avoiding that conversation. Its not as if I am starving and on the road. When I was playing with Wahingdoh I was being paid 22,000 a month and with Delhi United,I am making 27,500 a month. In the past two-three years I have never asked my parents for money. But because my parents were insisting,I applied for a job at Delhi Audit. The trials and the interview are over and I am waiting for the results now. I will continue to play but a job will remove a lot of pressure from my family, he says. For now Obed says he is working hard to make an impression in the Durand Cup and catch the eye of a scout. I may have been the top scorer in the league last time and this season but if everything goes according to plan,I wouldnt be around to make it a hat-trick next season, he says.
