Paul pays homage to Junior, while…

The much-maligned custodian has been freed of the charges of throwing away the match against East Bengal, which Mohun Bagan lost 1-4, but on the first anniversary of Junior’s tragic accident, he can’t forget.

“I don’t want to remember the incident. It was an accident and I have struggled to put it behind me. But, on the day of his first death anniversary, I can’t help but remember the man. I pay tribute to him on this day and pray that his soul may rest in peace,” Paul said.

East Bengal club, for whom Junior played in his first year, held a commemorative meeting, as did Dempo for whom Junior played and died.

While it’s fine to be remembering Junior on the day, nobody has any answers about the promises that were not kept. The emotions that flowed from all and sundry after the incident last year had to be seen to be believed. Everybody had gone overboard in displaying sympathy towards his family and some had even promised monetary help. A year later, not a penny has reached Junior’s family.

The East Bengal-Mohun Bagan National Football League (NFL) tie on January 11 was christened the Junior benefit match and proceeds from that were sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) through the Indian Football Association (IFA), but the money is yet to reach its destination.

The state sports and transport minister Subhas Chakraborty, on behalf of the state government also promised Rs 10 lakh, but like most promises the sports minister makes, this too was meant to be broken.

Forget promises, even the lessons don’t seem to have been learnt. Having woken up from its slumber after the incident, the AIFF had made it mandatory for all clubs to have a doctor with the team, but even after what happened last year, Mohun Bagan, of all teams, went to the Federation Cup this year to goa without one.