The Hindu : Sport / Football : Sporting Clube's amiable go(al)-getter

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Friday, May 06, 2005

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Sporting Clube's amiable go(al)-getter

P. K. Ajith Kumar

Dudu is all set to become top-scorer in the ninth edition of NFL

KOZHIKODE: Four years ago, Dudu Omagbemi came to India to visit his uncle. It was meant to be a purely private visit, but destiny had other plans for him. Today, the 20-year-old Nigerian is perhaps the most successful striker in Indian football.

In the on-going National Football League (NFL), he has already scored 21 goals and is well set to become the top-scorer. ``Yes, I'm really happy that I will be the top-scorer,'' the Sporting Clube de Goa skipper told The Hindu.

But he would be happier if he could lead his team to a maiden title in India's premier soccer league. ``That will be fantastic. We really have chances,'' he says.

If Sporting Clube, which had finished eighth in last year's NFL, is in a strong position to entertain hopes of winning the title, it's mainly due to Dudu's awesome striking prowess. ``This has been my best season,'' says Dudu, who scored 13 goals in the last edition of the NFL.

Striking prowess

He has hardly had a lean season ever since he first played on the Indian soil four years ago. He's been amongst the goals whether he was playing in the first or second division NFL matches or even in the popular seven-a-side tournaments held during summer in Northern Kerala.

He'd actually made his debut in India in a seven-a-side tournament. "I had come to meet my uncle, Gods Power, himself a footballer,'' he recalls.

``He suggested I could also give it a try. I thought it was a good idea and played for Alukkas and loved the experience. It was great playing before such passionate crowds.''

Dudu's scoring skills didn't go unnoticed and he was offered a contract with Sporting Clube. ``And this season we've got an excellent team. Fortunately, things have turned out well for us so far.''

The team is on a roll now, and has bounced back after a road accident in Kolkata in late January. Sporting Clube's chances, however, would depend a lot on the matches against Dempo and East Bengal, the other contenders for the top place.

On Indian football

Dudu feels the competition has become intense in the NFL. ``I believe the foreign players have played a crucial role in improving football standards in India. Look at SBT. If it could get a couple of good foreign players, they would be the best team in the country. It's unfortunate that the team is struggling despite having some talented players like Asif Saheer.''

He says there's a lot of talent in Indian football. ``But I believe the Indians start late; you have to catch them young if you want to have good players,'' he says.

Dudu, who was taught the game when he was five by his father, thinks there's lot of room for improvement in the way the sport is run in India. ``You have to market the game properly and the NFL should have quality television coverage.''

The amiable African doesn't intend to be in India forever, though. ``I want to play in Europe. I hope something will work out in the next season,'' he says.

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