TFA graduates look west

East isn't best anymore! In sharp contrast to their predecessors, the Tata Football Academy (TFA) wards, who'll be graduating into mainstream soccer in February 2004, the `Mecca of Indian Football,' no more lures them. Instead the western part of the country does.
The first choice of the U-19 boys, who formed the nucleus of the national squad in the Ian Rush Trophy, however, stays a Ocean away, in Europe. "Can anyone tell me how can I attend a trail abroad?" Subhas Mondal, TFA stopper-back pronounced, only to add: "Let someone take us to the trials, at least."
Vimal Pariyar, the seventeen-year old striker, who with his feints has already been the nightmare of many a defender, said: "The teams we played against in the Milk Cup, will graduate into the senior squad. The TFA structure is one of the best in the world. But we have limited options."
Medios Zehry Jirsanga and Malsawma were named in the Asian all-star squad in 2002. And the two, avid Van Damme fans, is still to digest as to why there aren't scope for Indians rub shoulders in Europe.
"We heard that foreign clubs had showed interest to Stephen-Sir (Constantine) over five players. But we don't know anything more," Malsawma added. "Why aren't good agents around?" he queried.
Constantine, from Margao echoed the truth to Times News Network. "Let me not take names at present, but it's true some clubs were interested over some boys. But they are yet to get back. There's still time," he informed.
Habibur Rahaman, Bimal Birwa, Chitrasen and others know that many of their seniors have sailed into oblivion. "Debashis-da (Pal Chowdhury), Aloke-da (Das), Dipendu-da (Biswas) kya player tha, Habibur recollected. "But we would prefer playing in Goa and Mumbai," someone, standing next quipped. "Please don't mention my name," he pleaded next.
Kolkata me to sab dada hain. Dadagiri ke elaba kuch nahi sikhenge, he added. "Mumbai and Goa are better. They treat you as players and stand by you in distress."
DSA champions Indian Air Force's coach Raghuveer Singh's son Gurpreet, the sturdy TFA libero, has impressed many a connoisseur. What plans has the dad in store? "
Plans kya dada? I want my son to play abroad. But is that possible? Till then..."
The phrase wan't completed.