A just reward for achieving new heights

The 38-year old Bimal, guiding Air-India since 1992, has drawn accolades over the years during his tenure with the Mumbai Super Division champions. His excellent handling of a team devoid of super stars, however, has come under National focus with the NFL’s inception.

Besides motivating a team of limited resources, Bimal has had to mould players to take on stern competition. Competition that pitted his young players against the might of established National and international players, and more recently challengers from overseas.

So much for imports, one often said after the first leg saw Air-Indiaunbeaten while some of their vaunted opponents faltered. That, more than anything championed Bimal’s Swadeshi movement, vis-a-vis soccer.

Air-India, eventually succumbed to injuries and their old failing –indifferent finishing — which Bimal had little control over. But they improved by a slot on their sixth place at the inaugural NFL after having second spot in sight when they took the pitch in their concluding encounter against PK Banerjee’s East Bengal.

Air-India lost narrowly but Banerjee, a legend in his own right, praised Bimal’s exemplary coaching of the side.

The last week has been special for the former player whose soccer was nurtured in the Nagpur club, Rabbani. Bimal has been appointed coach of the Maharashtra team for the Santosh Trophy in Assam commencing shortly. His assistant will be Santan D’Souza who has rendered loyal support through the NFL campaigns.

It is significant that Air-India have bagged two special awards in successive years at the NFL. Bimal’s protege, Godfrey Pereira,was adjudged Best Player of the inaugural competition.

As Indian soccer attempts to haul itself out of the pit of mediocrity, Bimal’s quiet prescriptions must count a great deal.

He recently called for developing individual players through the NFL, seeds of which, he said, must be sown in a comprehensive grassroot development programme.

Bimal called for the grooming of school children under 12 years of age and upward, utilising progressive methods of training such as mini soccer and audio-visual aids.

He also emphasised the need for a more pronounced role by State associations all over the country in an endeavour to uplift the sport.

If Mumbai is to regain its pristine status as a soccer nursery in the country, Bimal’s soft-spoken voice of reason must be given fair hearing.