It was clear to everyone that this day would come one day, but many hoped it would come a little later, maybe never. But that's life and it moves on...The day came last Wednesday, August 24 when Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia announced his official retirement from the Indian national football team. It was done at an official press conference at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi with more then a 100 journalists and camera persons present showing the huge media interest in Baichung's resignation.
I'd like to look back on my personal experiences with Baichung over the years during his time in the Indian national football team as we have met numerous times on other occasions and in private.
I first met Baichung Bhutia in July 2000 ahead of the first match against Fulham FC on the historic England Tour at the Indian Gymkhana, London. An impressive young man, who knew what he wanted, a good speaker and able to present himself which made my work on the tour as media in-charge easy. We got to know each other on this tour and over the years became friends.
We met again on the England tours in 2001 and 2002 with especially the 2001 tour a little difficult for Baichung as his then club Bury FC was also in pre-season training and they didn't release him for all the matches as the Greater Manchester club themselves had their own friendlies in which they wanted Baichung to play.
In 2004 I was involved in the organisation of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan on September 8 at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. I had loads of interaction with Baichung as captain due to media work.
In 2009 I visited the India training camp in Barcelona. It was great to see Team India training at La Masia. There I got to understand from Baichung why he and other players loved the training of Bob Houghton and why at the time Bob was such a great coach for Team India.
The last time was in January at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. Baichung was injured and fighting to get fit for the tournament, but only could play 12 minutes for India against South Korea. As he said afterwards it was a fight against time to get fit for the tournament of his life, the biggest stage for his generation as he said.
Baichung was a natural leader, someone whom others would listen to and follow; which over the years has impressed me the most. Baichung was a thorough professional, who knew what he had to do to stay fit though in the end it failed as age did catch up with him, which has forced him to retire from international football.
I would personally like to thank Baichung once more for all he has done for us in an India shirt! Thanks Bhai!!!
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