MUMBAI, JULY 7: It took a transfer to Italy's star outfit, AC Milan, for Nigerian striker Kanu to discover he had a hole in his heart. The ailment could have been fatal if it had not been discovered and treated.The story of twenty-five year old Subhash Rathod may not be as dramatic, but it offers telling parallels. It took a transfer, from senior division side Tipu Sultan to third divisioners Fr Agnel Gymkhana, before Rathod learned he was born without a left kidney.``I was shocked, I couldn't believe it,'' says Rathod, recalling his feelings from March 1997, when his physician, Dr Nair from BARC Hospital, broke the news to him. Rathod had sought treatment after contracting malaria, a disease he attributes to Vashi's `giant-sized mosquitoes.'Till then, Rathod enjoyed fair success as a defender. The left-wingback represented Maharashtra in the schools Nationals at Meghalaya in 1991, and turned out for the state U-17 team at the Nationals in Malda the same year.Only 17, he was forced to take up ajob, as a AC maintenance trainee with Fedders Lloyd, to supplement his family income. The Rathods just could not afford to let him play all day. But play he did, enjoying stints with Rabbani Sports Club (1989-91), Madanpura SC (1991-94) and Tipu Sultan (1994-95), before Fr Agnel hired him.It was a dream job, working as a site supervisor by day, and practising football by evening. In two years there, Agnel had climbed from third to first division. But the bout of malaria changed it all.Rathod was admitted to Jaslok Hospital, under kidney specialist Dr Gandhi. BARC, where his father worked, fortunately picked up the tab. ``The doctors conducted many tests to ensure my kidney had not been surgically removed after birth. But the ultrasound reports clearly revealed there were just no connections with the body at the spot where the kidney should have been,'' says Rathod.Meanwhile, the malarial attacks ate into his intimidating defender physique, shrinking his weight from 70 to 39. The lips and bodyblackened under heavy medication. Rathod took a break from football.``There were doubts in my mind if I could play again, because of the kidney. And I badly wanted to return,'' he said, sitting on his motorbike outside the Agnel Complex. Six months later, he did. The doctors gave his kidney a clean chit, after imposing certain dietary restrictions. He was to drink 7-8 litres of water every day, and could not eat non-vegetarian food. He sighs when he mentions the second restriction, and admits to eat on the sly `once in a while.'Kidney specialist Dr RV Gunjotikar says, ``Rathod's case is rather common. You cannot even call him a patient. If his other kidney functions well, he should have no problems. Of course, he needs to be under observation.''Rathod continues to play, as Fr Agnel takes a bow in the elite WIFA super league this year. The entry into the big league has resulted in an increase in practice time to a six hours every day, but Rathod takes it in his stride.Fr Orlando Rodrigues,managing director of Fr Agnel Complex, says, ``Rathod is very dedicated. He is an excellent superviser of construction projects, and a disciplined football player.'' Rathod is grateful to the priest. On the way to Vashi bus station on his favourite bike, he says, ``Fr Orlando has done everything for me. He treats me like his own son.''
