Former international left in the lurch

MYSORE, APRIL 19. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has launched its ``Mission of Glory'' this year with a view to improving India's performance in the Afro-Asian and World Cup qualification matches. But here in Mysore, a former International, N. Papanna is languishing and left in the lurch. He is deprived of his pension by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Papanna has no other source of income and is jobless. This is a classic case of our administrators forgetting old and past heroes.

Papanna, an enterprising forward in his heyday (from the early 60's to the late 70's) represented Mysore and Bengal in the National championships. He has scripted out many a victory for Karnataka and Bengal with his nimble footwork and dribbling prowess.

Papanna played for Karnataka (then Mysore) in the National Championship at Madras in 1964. He also turned out for Bengal in the national held at Cuttack in 1967. He donned India colours in the Merdeka tournament at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1968). He played for the famous Mohammedan Sporting Club, Calcutta for eight years from 1966. During his days with Md. Sporting Papanna was the darling of the crowd. He is remembered for his brilliant match-winning goal against the visiting German outfit in 1967, with Md. Sporting winning 1-0 after the match was played for the fifth day in succession. The previous four days games ended goalless. Papanna also played for CIL, ITI in the Bangalore league and played for K.R. Mills SC (1960-62) in Mysore and Ideal Jawa (1974-92). He quit active playing in 1992.

The soft-spoken, 54-year-old star has been ignored by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of India, the AIFF, State Association and MDFA. He comes from a family of footballers; both his brothers, N. Rajanna (Karnataka State) and N. Ramanna (Karnataka State, Bengal and Md. Sporting) also played for the state.

He was receiving a pension of Rs. 1000 p.m. from the national welfare fund for sportspersons from July '92 till June '97. He was informed by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, that the June '97 pension was to be the last installment. The intimation was a shock to Papanna as he was dependent on this pension amount.

This matter was taken up by Papanna with Mr. M.P. Ganesh, Executive Director, Sports Authority of India, NIS South Centre. Mr. Ganesh duly recommended Papanna's case and wrote an official DO letter (28.11.97) to Mr. Sanjeev Dubey, Dy. Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi. With no response the case is being still pursued by Mr. Ganesh.

The matter was brought to the notice of Mr. P. Srinivas Prasad, Minister for State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Govt. of India. But until now there has been no reply and Papanna is running from pillar to post.

The Karnataka State Football association, which is giving a grant of Rs. 250 per month, has not taken up his case with the AIFF or with the sports ministry.

Papanna, understandably is disillusioned. He continues to live in the hope that the Government will revive the pension.

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Section  : Sport
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