The Maharaja’s College Stadium galleries still flicker in milky light in the memory of a generation. And the mesmerizing melody of the long whistle in the ear. Half a century ago, Kerala won the Santhosh Trophy for the first time in its history. Najeemuddin was 21 years old at that time. Najeemuddin was the “baby” of the Kerala team who made the story of the Railways with Captain Mani’s brilliant hat-trick in the thrilling final and was the darling of the galleries. Najeemuddin, a native of Kollam Thevalli, dribbled into the hearts of the players with a fighting spirit boiling in his chest and an unquenchable fire in his boots. It was from that tournament that he came. !
The beginning of a colorful chapter in the football life of Najeemuddin, one of the best attackers ever produced by Kerala. Najeemuddin’s heyday in Kerala football was later. Najeemuddin, who leaps over defensive lines and heads crosses from the wings with precision; Najeemuddin sneaking through opposition stoppers into the penalty area with the grace of a gymnast; Najeemuddin, who takes the passes on his chest and instead on his knees, hits the net before the ball hits the ground.
He retired from Titanium fourteen years ago after 36 years of service. Najeem started working as a stores assistant in 1973 and was assistant manager when he retired.
Backed by Najeemuddin’s scoring prowess, there was a time when the Titanium Ashwamedham rode in All India tournaments across Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram GV Raja Trophy, Kollam Municipal Golden Jubilee, Kottayam Mammen Mappila, Thrissur Chakola, Kozhikode Set Nagji, Kannur Sreenarayana….. “At that time we only missed the Nagji Trophy, where we lost in the final.”– Najeemuddin remembers. the time Today even those tournaments are a memory. Will the good times of our football ever come back?”
Najeemuddin of Orma is still 23 years old. Najeemuddin heads the ball over the head of experienced Goan goalie Brahmanand in the 1975 Kozhikode Santosh Trophy quarter-finals. Even watching Najeem float like a tiny Morris Minor through the towering defenders was adorable. Najeemuddin was chosen as the best player in the Nationals by Gallup poll for no reason.
Which of the goals scored was the most unbelievable to you? “There are many. The goal against Transport at Nagji immediately comes to mind. I was running to connect with Dionysius’ lofted cross with my head. But I miscalculated. The run ended up a foot ahead of the ball. I decided to do an experiment just in front of the goal line. I stepped back from a standing position and headed the ball hard. There was no hope of scoring from that angle..”
But it was a goal. Najeemuddin’s ball from Ottal’s forehead to the post didn’t leave any gap for the goalkeeper. So many “fatal” goals.
Najeem, who was an inside forward during his time at SN College, Kollam, was made right-out by coach Simon Sundarraj — the coach who won the Santhosh Trophy for Kerala. Najeem lived up to the coach’s expectations by scoring four goals and played Santosh Trophy continuously from 1973 to 80. Then one more round of Jupiter in the jersey of Titanium. After retirement he was the coach and manager of the club for some time.
As there were no “godfathers” on the field, the goalscorer had to watch helplessly as even those less talented than him walked into the national team. He was saddened by not being able to play for India, but he did not blame anyone. When asked why many of those who played with him chose to stay at home when many of them went to Kolkata and Mumbai in search of new pastures, he replied with a beautiful smile. . First Mafat Lal called and then Tatas. After that, Kolkata clubs too. But I didn’t want to leave the country. The family atmosphere at Titanium was one reason. And I didn’t have big ambitions…”
the truth Desires were all ours; For the Malayalees who loved football as much as their souls. The war horse that galloped with the ball over those desires may have left the playing field. But Najimuddin still shines in the sky of the mind; Like silver star.
2023-12-27 05:51:09
#Najeemuddins #fatal #goals