A Salute to - Climax Lawrence

I still remember Climax Lawrence was a new signing in the 1999/2000 season for Salgoacar SC, where I returned after a year stint with East Bengal Club. Climax was a junior and wanting to learn things in his own quite ways.

The way he has moulded himself through all these years is something marvellous, I was there in the team with him for 3 years but hardly ever I have seen him grumbling over Coaches for not fielding him in the team, as he was mostly on the substitute bench at that time, but he did take his lessons well from that position as well as by watching others how they play. He was patient, always humble and respected the coach's decisions. He was never disappointed but always wanted to give his best at practice to prove to himself, as he worked hard to reach where he is now.

I can now proudly say that he is one of the best midfielders at the moment on the Indian football stage. Thanks to Coach Marcus Pacheco, as Climax once mentioned that it was he who really brought this talent out of him, it's going to be long time till someone fits in his shoes, he's got a vision which most of the other midfielders envy him for, he's got the stamina, he heads brilliantly, he's got speed to match any opposition, and moreover he is a team player, he supports, he passes, he is there to defend, and the most important thing he also scores. Goan football, after former International Mauricio Afonso left playing, were longing to see a player who would fill this gap and I feel that Climax has done it.

I recently witnessed his match for India in Dubai against Iranian Club before they left for the 2006 Doha Asian Games, To see a player who had undergone a knee surgery a few months back and to regain his fitness and performance at the same level where he left before the surgery was overwhelming, Climax just the night before joined the team as one of the 3 senior players, but he did justify his selection, he was all over the place for that match.

But what makes him a great player is his Sportmanship, a quite guy he is, as is known, but not as quite from where I know, he has got his own ways of enjoying, he does mingle with fellow players, does crack jokes and does play cards with team mates...

My salute to this great player in Indian football!