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Footballer full of promise
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Scoring goals seems to come naturally to this young footballer from Palani, R. P. Ashok Kumar. If Tamil Nadu qualified from the South zone to play in the main competition of the Dutta Ray Trophy National Under-21 Championship in Uttar Pradesh, it was, by and large, because of this young man's grand show.
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R. P. Ashok Kumar of Tamil Nadu at the South Zone Under-21 National Football Championship in Tiruchi. — Pic. by M. Moorthy
IN THE furnace-like setting on the St. Joseph Higher Secondary School ground overlooking the famous Rockfort temple in Tiruchi, even watching a football match in the shade can be demanding; imagine the plight of the player. And if he performs well and earns the appreciation of the fans, he must certainly have something special in him. That is what R.P. Ashok Kumar had when he became the darling of the modest gathering. Swift footwork and the ability to seize the opportunity brought quite a few goals from this wisp of a lad from Palani, including a hat trick. If Tamil Nadu qualified from the South zone to play in the main competition of the Dutta Ray Trophy National Under-21 Championship in Uttar Pradesh, it was, by and large, because of this young man's grand show.
Modest to a fault, Ashok Kumar, however, believed that he had not done anything extraordinary but only provided the finishing touches to the work done by his teammates. Then again, scoring goals seem to come naturally to him going by his performance as a member of the Madras University team for the South zone, and the all India varsity football in the last two seasons. A history student of the Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Ashok Kumar's interest in the game was kindled when he watched others play in his hometown. "I used to stand behind the goal-post and look for opportunities to collect and return the ball when it bounced out of play," he says, recalling his early days. Selection to the sports hostel in Neyveli as a middle school student was his first step towards organised training, before he began to show his worth when he turned a collegian. He still has a long way to go to reach the stature of I. M. Vijayan, whom he admires most amongst Indian players. But he has set his sights on becoming a player in the national team. For one who considers French star Thierry Henry his idol and Arsenal his favourite team, the young man seems quite well informed. "Of course, I try not to miss European football on television," he says. What worries him, however, is the poor patronage for the game in India. Pointing to the empty seats in the Nehru Stadium in Chennai after his league match (he plays for the Netaji SC in the senior division league), he wonders, "Why this poor turn-out for the matches? Even big tournaments do not attract crowds here."
Ashok Kumar is also concerned about the fact that the national team does not have a single player from Tamil Nadu. "We had Sabir Pasha earlier, but no one else has been considered since," he says as though seeking an opinion. Who knows, he could possibly be the next. But for that Ashok Kumar should continue to be as resourceful and impressive as he was in Tiruchi. He has the will and potential but only time can tell how he will shape up. His first major test is in Ballia, in the main round of the national Under-21 championship.
S.R. SURYANARAYAN
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