By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: They have been born in Bengaluru but their heart beats for Kolkata.
Call it the magic of Football, call it the nostalgia of playing for Mohun Bagan during their Club career or call it the love for the City which ‘made’ them what they are today, Narayanaswamy Ulaganathan and Babu Mani, prominent wingers in Indian Football, both of whom excelled at the Club level and International level, are not entirely Bengaluru’s own boys in the Championship decider of ongoing 2014-15 edition of the Hero I-League when JSW Bengaluru FC take on McDowell Mohun Bagan on May 31.
Presently on a vacation in Ooty, Ulaganathan, popularly known as Ulga during his playing days admitted he’s in a “dilemma.”
“Whoever plays well will win,” he mentions. After a pause, he adds: “I played for Mohun Bagan for 8 years. The respect which I received from playing in the Club will stay with me forever. In fact, it pertains to all the Clubs in Kolkata. Nothing can replace it; nothing can take that away from me. The fans in Kolkata worshipped me like a God. How can I betray them?”
“And on the other side, Bengaluru is my native place. How do I balance this?”
“Namma Ooru Bengaluru (Bengaluru is my City), Amar sohor Kolkata (Kolkata is my City),” he adds in one breath.
“If I am back in Bengaluru on Saturday, I will definitely go to watch at the ground. Or else, I will watch it on TV,” Ulaganathan, who was never flashed a yellow card ever in his life, mentions.
Unlike Ulaganathan, Babu Mani was willing to take a side. “I will support and root for Mohun Bagan. I have played for Bagan for over eight years. What I am today is entirely because of the green and maroons,” he admits.
“I have played Club Football in Bengaluru for just one season for ITI (Indian Telephone Industries). Bengaluru FC are a professional Club and are doing very well. But if you ask me to back a Club on 31st, I will cheer for Bagan.”
“Namma Ooru Bengaluru (Bengaluru is my City),” he pronounces only to assert: “Amar Club Mohun Bagan (Mohun Bagan is my Club),” Mani told www.the-aiff.com. An emotional Mani further added: “Mohun Bagan is like my mother. I am her child.”
“I can foresee the madness in Kolkata if Bagan win it,” Mani said from Kolkata. “But it’s still an unfinished job. You need to go and complete it.”
Elaborating Bengaluru FC’s initiatives, Mani stressed that the “Government should be backing such a noble cause for the promotion of Football.”
“I second that,” Ulaga stated. “Bengaluru FC are an entirely professional Club. I want more such Teams to come into the League. That will encourage all.”
Both Ulaga and Mani felt it’s a dream situation for the Players. “Win it for your Club and be immortal in their history,” they said unanimously.
“But the passion in Kolkata is something else. You will be carried on your shoulders and spoken of about ages. The fans make Kolkata special. Football is all for them.”
