Just for kicks
Five titles in a row. For any football team such incredible winning streak would be perhaps marked as the most memorable time in their history. But for Hyderabad Globe, a club that was founded in 1968 by late Syed Saleemuddin Murshad, the joy of such on-field success is marred by the poignant reminder of the sad and often deplorable state of football in Andhra Pradesh.
The lack of a legitimate football governing body in the State — all thanks to the warring factions of the Andhra Pradesh Football Association — has ensured that Globe, despite having some of the best talent in the City, are devoid of any recognition or even the basic facilities they are entitled to.
To start with, Globe, who have been the pride of the small but passionate footballing community in the Old City for ages, now play in the Akola district league in Maharashtra after registering their team in the Western India Football Association because Andhra Pradesh no longer has a recognised domestic tournament.
To top that, the numerous legal cases that have crippled the game in the State often act as a scarecrow for potential sponsors. Which means the 20-odd talented players who have triumphed in five All-India level tournaments — Nav Bharat Cup in Raipur, Airtel Gold Cup in Indore, Maharashtra State football championship in Beed, NMDC Iron and Ore Cup in Bacheli, Chhattisgarh, Jayant Shashak Cup in Meeraj — get a meagre `500 each as match fee.
The four foreign players in the team — Tebo Tanga from Cameroon, Jackson from Nigeria, Sudan’s Mohd. Murad and Mohd. Saleh — get Rs 1,000 per match. “We don’t have any sponsors for the team. We spend our own money for the kits, travel and the match fees,” said Syed Sadi Aliuddin, former footballer and the assistant secretary of the club.
“There is no income at all for the club. We are running this team because of our love for football,” he adds. The only financial help Globe receive is from the SSM Poultry in Old City, which is owned by the founding family of the club. Even Globe’s coach, Wahab Ansari, does his duty free of remuneration.
“Globe is an identity for people in Old City. This is a community team for us,” said Ansari, who works at the Accountant General’s Office, Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Sadi says the team often have to struggle to even find a place for practice. “Earlier we used to practice at the ground near Hussaini Alam Girls High School in Old City. But because of the need for better facilities we now practice at the LB Stadium,” he said. “There we have to often hear, ‘don’t play here, don’t do this,’ from the officials. To practice at LB we pay a monthly fee of Rs 50 per player.”
Despite all the off-field struggle, Globe is now in a strong position to win the Akola district league and is hoping to make it to the I-League second division next season.
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