Date:19/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/19/stories/2006071914401000.htm

Kerala

State loses a great footballer

A. Vinod

A FIGHTER TO THE CORE: V.P. Sathyan.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: He had all along been a fighter to the core, as one would expect a player left behind to defend his goal. And whether it was for his club, State or country, V.P. Sathyan, the former Indian captain who died in Chennai on Tuesday, always gave his best with his never-say-die-spirit.

Off the field, however, the 41-year-old was always careful to maintain a steadfast relationship with his friends, fans and rivals alike. To the younger generation, he was like an elder brother who besides being caring, always made himself available to provide tips readily and guide them properly on how to shape their careers. So much so that his untimely death has left Indian football poorer would be an understatement.

Born on April 29, 1965, in Mekunnathu in Kannur district, Sathyan was a late-starter who was initiated into the game, which in later years would help gain much acclaim, only after he had passed out from school. Naturally, it was tough climb to the top for the gangling defender until he gained his initial breakthrough while playing for the then famed club Lucky Star.

Selected to the Kerala team for the 1983 National championship for the Santosh Trophy in Chennai, he moved to Kerala Police in 1984. It was during his tenure with the police side that he gained his first Indian cap at the 1985 SAF Games in Dhaka. Thereafter, it was all smooth sailing as Sathyan soon established himself as a regular in the Indian team until 1997, with sheer dint of hard work and determination.

Altogether, he played for India in over 80 matches and was captain of the side on more than 10 occasions. Over the years, Sathyan regarded by many as the best Indian defender since Jarnail Singh, did move from behind to the middle, contributing his services as a solid midfielder who could surprise rival goalkeepers with his lethal long-rangers. What made him dangerous to rival defences was the intelligence with which he approached set play, whether it was his conversions of free kicks or penalties.

The two-time All India Footballer of the Year, Sathyan was also a recipient of the 1987 KFA Footballer of the Year and the 1998 G.V. Raja award. It was under his captaincy that Kerala regained the Santhosh Trophy in 1992 in Coimbatore after a gap of 19 years. Besides Kerala Police with which he had won the Federation Cup in 1990 and 1991, Sathyan had also served Kolkata powerhouses Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan with distinction before joining Indian Bank in 1995.

He was one of the few of his generation who had the ability to analyse the game, which was to stand him in good stead during recent years when he served as coach of the Indian Bank and as assistant coach of the Indian team. He was a total footballer and in his death, Sathyan will surely be sorely missed by the legion of his fans in Kerala and elsewhere.

Condolences

Chief Minister V.S. Acuthanandan said the demise of V.P. Sathyan who had left an indelible imprint on Indian football was a big loss to the world of sport. The Chief Minister added that his contributions for the growth of Kerala football would always be remembered.

Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar hailed his contributions. He said Sathyan was an incomparable phenomenon in the field of football.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said his performance as captain of the Kerala, Kerala Police and Indian football teams would remain indelible in the minds of the football lovers.