Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
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Responsibility as a son? Or National Duty?
Very few of us face the dilemma but Indian National Team defender Anas Edathodika was persuaded by his family members to go and serve his Country at a time when his father “could barely speak to him”.
“My father is not in a good shape and when I last saw him, he was not even able to speak to me. Even coach asked me personally whether I want to stay with my family. I was really moved by that,” the sturdy defender’s voice choked a bit while talking.
The cool breeze blowing across the Stadium with the dark clouds overhead made all present a bit numb for the moment.
“The elder members of my family asked me to go back and do my duty for my Country which is the possibly the best way to give him some solace.”
There was silence around.
Hailing from a middle-class family, Ansa is barely two matches old in International Football, both of which matches he started alongside Sandesh Jhingan.
“I have always aspired to play with Sandesh-bhai. 2-3 years back, I used to boost myself up thinking about sharing the pitch with him. By God’s grace, I got the call up this year and playing along with him.”
But the very next moment he added, “No one is sure about their slot in the Team. Arnab-bhai is there, Ganesh, Cardozo everyone is ready to give it a shot. Eventually, it’s the Coach’s call but I feel the sheer competition amongst ourselves makes us more perfect.”
Anas adds that the National Team call-up has been the 2best thing” to have happened to him.
“When I first started, I was naive. I had actually no idea about the professional structure. I started my career under David Booth and from there everything has been at the right place and now, I’m here with the National Team – the best thing ever happened to me.”
