Tata Football Academy cadets pose for a photograph during the institution?s convocation at the SNTI auditorium in Bistupur. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, April 19: ?For success in sports or any other profession, skills and physical fitness is important. But in sports, attitude also plays an important role,? said Muthuraman this evening at the convocation of Tata Football Academy (TFA).

He handed over certificates to 19-odd cadets who graduated from the TFA.

Muthuraman told the boys to always think of winning. ?Without a fanatical zeal, you cannot win. But you should also learn how to take defeat in your stride,? he advised the cadets .

A.N. Singh, deputy managing director of Tata Steel and chairman of TFA board of management, said the cadets, who are passing out, have been the ?best catch? so far. ?They played 38 matches in 2005-06 against senior teams, won 31 and drew five,? he added.

Robert Lalthalamuana Zuchhip won the best gentleman cadet award. Lester Mark Fernandez, a dashing mid-fielder, said:?We joined four years ago as shy youngsters. But now we find ourselves a bunch of confident footballers. Thanks to TFA and Tata Steel for making us bright young citizens of the country.?

In the last two decades, 128 cadets have passed out from the TFA. Eighty-four of them went on to represent the country in various international tournaments.

The passing out cadets include Robert Lalthalamuana Zuchhip, Lester Mark Fernandez, Arindam Bhattacharjee, Avdhesh Pal, Bimal Minz, C. Chandrashekar Rao, Elangbham Herohito, Goutam Debnath, Gurjinder Singh, Harmanjot Singh, Khanthang Paite, Naoba Singh, Parwinder Singh, P.C. Lalawmpuia, S. Satish Kumar, Shilton Paul, Sovan Chakraborty, Vimal Pariyar and Warun Deep Singh.