Gumpe Rime

Monday, 13. July 2009 - Subhajyoti Banerjee

The Northeast of India has been a happy hunting ground for the national club recruiters. All the top national clubs have players from this region on their roster.

However, you will barely find a player from remote Arunachal Pradesh. One such rare player who hails from the state of Arunachal Pradesh is custodian Gumpe Rime, playing for the top clubs for almost one and half decade.
After playing for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC five successful seasons, Gumpe is all set to keep the goal of the newly promoted first division I-league team, Shillong Lajong FC.


Subhajyoti: Hi Gumpe, tell me what prompted you to take this decision?

Gumpe: I wanted to play for a first division club and Shillong Lajong FC is the first Northeast club who will be playing in the I-league first division. I hail from the Northeast, it will be a privilege for me to play for such a club and be part of history.
If my experience can be of any use then nothing like that.


Subhajyoti: Tell us something about your childhood?

Gumpe: I come from a town named Aalo in Arunachal Pradesh. After my schooling, I was spotted by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Guwahati, and groomed there for a while. I started playing for clubs since 1995.

1995 to 1999 Mahindra United
1999 to 2000 Bengal Mumbai FC
2000 to 2001 Vasco Sports Club
2001 to 2002 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC
2002 to 2003 ITI (moved on loan to Mohammedan Sporting Club)
2003 to 2004 Salgaocar Sports Club
2004 to 2009 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC
2009 to 2010 Lajong FC

My experience while playing for BMFC has been quite frustrating, it was a mis-managed team where players were not paid regularly.
Some clubs appear all of a sudden and after couple of seasons they literally disappear from the scene; leaving the players in lurch.

I would like to bring to the notice of AIFF that they should check the credibility of these clubs before sanctioning their entity. Clubs like Chandni FC, Malabar United FC, and Happy Entertaintment, gets a chance to play in the I-league (second division) and it is sad to see that HAL being left out.


Subhajyoti: Goalkeeping is a demanding job, how do you keep yourself fit, that too for so many years?

Gumpe: That way I have been fortunate enough, I have never got serious injuries while playing. But I do work on my fitness, during off-season I am regular at the training grounds.


Subhajyoti: How was the experience playing in HAL?

Gumpe: Definitely good. After playing for so many years I am regarded as a home player.
However, they need to be more professional in their approach, there are many formalities and protocals to get the budget approved. This becomes frustrating many times.

The team management should stress on retaining talent. Lot of promising players plays for HAL during their formative years and then leaves for better growth. They should look at retaining the best talents.

Also, there is lack of involvement from the management. HAL Sports Club members are high-ranked HAL officials, you would barely find them interacting with the players. Except for sports secretory, Mr. Rajan, I don't see anyone interacting with the players.
On the contrary, at Salgaocar the owner himself Shivanand Salgaocar would take time out from his busy schedule to talk and encourage the team.


Subhajyoti: How is HAL team this year?

Gumpe: This current bunch looks good. Management has picked up the core of the Karnataka Santosh Trophy team, including some promising players from BEML. But as I have mentioned before, this story happens every year, they fail to retain the talent.

          
Subhajyoti: And what about your experience playing in Calcutta?

Gumpe: I had a short stint with Mohammedan Sporting, I’ve never played a full season there. Even during that time they changed coach many times, the management was bad. Players like Odafa and Chidi started their career in India by playing for Mohammedan Sporting. Pity that they could not retain them and later they dominated the India football scene.      
Once, I had got an offer from East Bengal, but I had to reject it for some reason.
But yes, the media coverage is amazing, you don’t get it anywhere else in India.


Subhajyoti: How is football played in the Northeast?

Gumpe: The local bodies in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam functions well. They have proper infrastructure, grassroot level, and youth development programmes.

I am not sure about Arunachal Pradesh, the football association does not have enough funds. There is no local league in Arunachal Pradesh. The players should get proper exposure by participating in the tournaments outside Arunachal Pradesh.
This year the Arunachal Pradesh team participated in the under-21 nationals at Goa and the result was decent. Football should be played throughout the year. We have now two young players from Arunachal Pradesh, Nyamar Loyi and Tassar Techi playing for clubs. Hope they play well and make Arunachal Pradesh proud.
At times discipline becomes as issue among the North-east players. Reaching to a height is not difficult, maintaining is difficult.

We have Baichung Bhutia as our icon, but after that there is a void, there is no one even closer to him.


Subhajyoti: Any disappointment of not making to the national team?

Gumpe: I have played for the India Juniors. However, I was never selected for the senior team. I have attended national camps several times, but failed to make it to the final squad. Mainly because our coaches preferred taller gaolkeepers.


Subhajyoti: Who is your favourite goalkeeper?

Gumpe: I have always found Jorge Campos, the famous Mexican goalkeeper exciting. Not because of his flashy outfits, but for his agility. He did not have the height, but the kind of saves he made was amazing.  

In India, I have seen Ghanian international Edward Ansah’s keeping. He was playing in India when he was in his 40’s. Even at that age, he was one of the best keepers to have graced Indian football. Currently, Edward Ansah is the goalkeeping coach for Ghana.


Subhajyoti: How long you want to continue this game?

Gumpe: Another three years at the top level. (grins)


Subhajyoti: Any post-retirement plans?

Gumpe: I have not made any plans yet. Definitely something related to football, maybe an instructor. I will leave it to my destiny. (smiles)


Subhajyoti: Thanks Gumpe for your time and best wishes for your new venture!

Gumpe: Thanks and all the best to IndianFootball.Com, keep up the good work!