Jamshedpur, Jan. 21: Dipak Mondal (23) never imagined that some day he would be named the country’s best footballer. He came to the city in search of a club to play soccer nine years ago and by sheer luck landed at the Tata Football Academy (TFA). The rest is history.
Mondal has been named the footballer of the year (2002-03) by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF). “It is really an honour for us. I think 2003 has unfolded quite well for us. Two of our boys found place in the Asian all-star team, then Mandal was declared the best footballer of the country and the TFA reaching the semi-finals of the recently-concluded IFA Shield. Things are working out quite well,” said Satish Pillai, chief, TFA and the Tata Steel sports department.
Recollecting the initial days of Mondal, TFA coach Ranjan Choudhury said the youngster had come to the city (from Noamundi) in 1994 to play the local JSA league. “I spotted him when he was playing for city-based Mohammedan Sporting Club. Instantly, I realised that the guy could be inducted into the TFA the same year,” Choudhury told The Telegraph. After his induction into the TFA, Mandal played for the undivided Bihar junior team.
“He is a very good tackler and heads the ball well. Besides, he also displayed his leadership qualities while captaining the TFA team,” Choudhury said.
He added that Mondal has been donning Indian colours for the past three years. “He has a number of international matches under his belt. However, he could not play in the recently-concluded SAF tournament in Bangladesh because of an injury,” he said, adding that his protege has matured as a footballer and is set to go further on the path of glory.
Choudhury said Dipak’s father, Narayan Mondal, was also a top-class goalkeeper for Tata Steel. “After coming to the city, Dipak spent most of his time at his relative’s place in Telco and TFA where he picked up the nitty-gritty of soccer. In fact, most of his childhood was spent in the city,” Choudhury said.
Mondal is now playing as a stopper with Calcutta’s East Bengal Club. He also captained the club in the last season. “It was a sort of TFA mela (fair) during the IFA Shield in Calcutta.
The ex-cadets mingled with the current lot and enjoyed every bit of their reunion. It really feels great when you watch the boys happy and settled,” Choudhury said. After passing out from TFA in 1998, Mandal played for many clubs, including JCT Mills, Phagwara, in the National Football League.
“We are very happy that our boys are doing well for their clubs. There are around 56 former TFA cadets playing for different clubs in the national circuit,” the TFA coach said.
