THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sylvester Ignatius is a name football -frenzy fans will never forget. The black chap wearing the official maroon jersey spearheading the attack along with his nippy co-forward Asif Zaheer is an evergreen memory in the minds of the soccer lovers in the state.Whether on his home ground or on uneven playing fields elsewhere, Ignatius was a true professional, an impeccable team man par excellence. The man who was known as ‘power house’ for his ability to play the whole 90 minutes in full steam, has lost himself in bureaucratic red-tape, while his dream of a house of his own remains just a dream. Ignatius, after leading the team to victory in the 2004 Santhosh Trophy, had requested the then Sports Minister Dominic Presentation to allot him government land in the city. The Minister had expressed his willingness and the news was carried in newspapers with all fervour. But, unfortunately, the application is still remaining with the bureaucrats, awaiting action. “I have got the documents and even the paper cutting which carried the Minister’s announcement that I would be provided land. For the last seven years, I have been waiting for some favourable action. I had approached leaders of all political parties. I had also registered a complaint with the Chief Minister thrice. But it seems that I would have the same fate of Mercy Kuttan, who had to wait till her husband’s death to get a piece of land that was allotted by the State Government,” he said in desperation.Ignatius had identified three sites, near Pettah, Shangumugham and Kowdiar, and forwarded the same to the officials. The first two sites were rejected outright. And the third site fell in the government’s land bank and hence some deliberations were needed, according to the authorities. “I have devoted my entire career playing for the state. I had the option to play for professional clubs and earn handsome contracts. But I decided to stay back. At times I have asked what have I got in return. I could not manage even a house of my own,” the disturbed former captain who is living in a rented house near Pravachambalam said. In an era when players who rendered their service to other states and Central teams are being lauded, the ace footballer who reached the top from the small coastal village of Vettucauad, near here, is fighting against all odds. Even when he is facing total apathy from officialdom, Ignatius is not disheartened. His undying spirit constantly reminds one that life is not a 90-minute match and it is a different game.
Comments
0 comment