JOURNEY SO FAR…
A permanent resident of Belgaum, a small District in Karnataka- India, Amal was inspired to play Football when he was a child all of 9 years and found his way in the School Junior Team at St.Paul’s. He comes from a highly educated family, his Grandfather a Doctorate in Science and many in the family either Medical practitioners or Engineers. None had inclination towards sports, so it was but-natural that his parents demanded that he pay more attention to his studies rather than to Football.
Amal had great footwork and vision on field since young, thus impressing his fellow-mates and coaches. He went on to assist and score loads of goals and got his position carved for State Level School Events. He met his mentor, a reputed Footballer and Coach Sir Agnelo Rego, at the age of 14 years, who seeing potential in him helped him sharpen his basic techniques and balance of the game. He went on to Captain his School Senior Side and also the District Team ending up as Top Scorer in a few Tournaments and thus getting into limelight. At one instance when he was playing an Exhibition match, he was luckily spotted by Mr. Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Arjun Awardee and then Director of Coaching at Sports Authority of Goa. He inspired Amal to choose Goa as a stepping stone both for continuing his education and for his football passion.
On finishing his Schooling, his Parents wished that he join the Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur but he instead shifted base to Goa in 2003-04, for a career in Football and played for Salgaocar U-19 and Salcete Football Club. He thereon went on to represent various Clubs namely Raia Sporting Club, YBT Football Club, Velsao Pale Sports Club, Sesa Football Academy, Salgaocar U-20 (all Goa), Khandoba Talim Mandal (Kolhapur) and Ahbab Football Club (Delhi) playing in the Senior Division Leagues of Goa, Kolhapur and Delhi and also participating in Goa’s Governors Cup and Super Cup, Federation Cup and also the I-League 2nd Division. In the course of these years, Amal has put behind him the injury-ridden phases wherein he suffered ankle ligament tear, a broken hand and quadriceps muscle tear; coming back to the game time and again and proving himself.
Amal is the first Footballer from Belgaum District to represent Karnataka Senior State Team at the coveted Santosh Trophy National Football event for three successive times at Chennai, Kolkata and Assam recently; thus bringing joy and pride to the small district.
Academically, Amal completed his M.Com from IGNOU Open University, B.Com from Goa University, Captaining the Damodar College as well as the University Teams. He was offered free-ship by College College for PGDBA Course. He has been a model inspiration, doing well in games as well as excelling in studies. He is good at writing articles and spends his time on internet and gathers much information on Foot ball. He has successfully compiled a volume, a Manual for Football Trainees’ covering major aspects of the game.
INSPIRATION AND MENTORS…
Having grown up watching Manchester United play, I take inspiration from strong and disciplined characters on and off the field like Roy Keane, David Beckham and Paul Scholes. Since I moved to Goa, I have been a great fan of Dempo Sports Club, for the sheer flair and superbly constructive football they display. The players I look up to and follow a great bit are David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick (Internationally) and; Beto, Climax Lawrence and Jatin Bisht (Nationally), all for their neat passing and vision.
Three people are majorly responsible for what I am on filed today and whatever good I have learnt about the game: Sir Rego, who has been with me ever since I started playing School football, always been a pillar of support and inspiration during my low phases; Sir Brahmanand, who has done everything possible to get me comfortable with the requirements of Professional Football in Goa; and Late. Angela Ma’am, who is always in my prayers, my strength: and responsible for moulding me into an aggressive athlete and strengthening the major departments of my game.
Not to forget the support and love of my Family and Friends, who have been patient enough with my decisions and progress and been there for me always.
I feel my strength on the field lies in the departments of ball-control, passing, crossing with both feet alike and holding the team together with simple basic football and communication. I take great pleasure in keeping ball possession and threading a string of passes with grounded touch football as priority. Possess a good balance and shooting ability; and don’t shy of getting into hard tackles. Having played league football in states of different altitudes and climatic conditions; am easily adaptable with the game play and am also well-versed with different languages. Never skip a training session and am always up for a challenge.
Football is a ‘Language’ to me, a World Language. So like every other Indian National, I aim to guide the National Team onto the World Football scene by spreading this beautiful language; therefore competing in all capacities to help India break into the Top 100 FIFA rankings and slowly below 70.
Personally, I aim to win everything that is in offering, playing for top Clubs across the continents and gathering as much experience and knowledge to help our future generations grow up in the right ‘Footballing Environment’ and not face the hurdles faced by the players of today.
Since I have always believed in giving back all good I have got, I will most definitely want to do something for the Footballers of Belgaum.
All I believe is, “I am born to Play and Play is all that I shall sincerely do all my Life”.
Although I am deeply saddened with the Mahindra Group’s decision to disband their senior team, I strongly believe, “Where there is a Will, there always is a Way”. This may well signal the end of the ageing AIFF Officials’ tenure and a beginning of a new era of ‘Footballization’. That’s exactly the word. Like the Industrialization in the 1990’s, Footballization is right up-next.
Restructuring the I-League, inclusion of Regional Teams, entry of Corporates, Player Agents and Professional Administration will take Indian Football a long way.
This is an important juncture in Indian Football, wherein the National Team prepares to play the Asian Cup and therefore, National Players not participating in the League. This is an opportunity up for grabs and young players just need to rise to the occasion and make it count. A bunch of Players will retire from National Team duties and with a properly structured I-League, can be replaced by a bunch of young performers.
Its high time AIFF goes professional and strikes the iron right, when hot.
CAREER RECORD…
- School & College:
- Represented St. Paul’s High School, Belgaum in the U-14, U-16 age categories. (1999-2003)
- Represented R.M.Salgoacar Higher Secondary, Goa. (2003-2005)
- Represented Damodar College of Commerce, Goa. (2005-2008)
- Represented Chowgule College, Goa. (2008-2009)
- Club:
- Year 2003-04: Salcete FC (Goa 2nd Div)
- Year 2004-05: Salcete FC (Goa 2nd Div)
- Year 2005-06: Raia Sporting Club (Goa Professional League, Governors Cup), Goa U-21 (Akola), Salgaocar U-20 (Taca Goa)
- Year 2006-07: Y.B.T (Goa 1st Div)
- Year 2007-08: Velsao Pale SC (Goa Professional League, Governors Cup), Khandoba Talim Mandal (Kolhapur Senior League)
- Year 2008-09: Sesa Football Academy- Seniors (Goa Professional League, Governors Cup, Super Cup, Federation Cup, I-League 2nd Div, Faria Gold Cup)
- Year 2009-10: Raia Sporting Club (Goa Professional League), Ahbab FC (Delhi Senior League)
- Year 2010-11: Santa Cruz Club Of Cavelossim (Goa 1st Div)
- Year 2011- Income Tax Department, Chennai
- University & Nationals:
- Represented Goa University (2005-06 West Zone in Bhopal, 2007-08 West Zone in Goa, 2008-09 All-India in Goa)
- Represented Karnataka State Senior Team at the Santosh Trophy, 2009 at Chennai, 2010 at Kolkata and 2011 at Assam.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
- 1st player from Belgaum to represent the Karnataka State Santosh Trophy Team in 2009.
- Played in the Senior Leagues of Goa, Delhi, Kolhapur & Belgaum.
- Captained the Goa University Team, finishing 3rd at the West zone Championship.
- Represented Goa University thrice. (Bhopal 2005-06, Goa 2007-08 & 2008-09)
- Member of All Goa Inter-Collegiate Championship winning Teams on 2 occasions. (Damodar College in 2005-06 & Chowgule College in 2008-09)
- Offered Freeship Education through Special Sports Scheme at Chowgule College.
- Composed and Co-written a volume on “Professional Football Training”.
- Captained St. Paul’s High School & Belgaum District U-17 Teams. Was highest goal scorer with 6 goals in the Fr. Eddie Memorial Tournament 2002-03, Belgaum.
- Captained R.M.Salgaocar Higher Secondary, leading them to All-Goa Quarter-Finals in 2004-05.
- Captained Damodar College Team in 2007-08. (Quarter-Finalists)
TESTIMONIALS…
Director of Coaching (Sports Authority of Goa)
Former Indian-International Goalkeeper & Goa’s first Arjuna Awardee.
Holder of AFC ‘A’ License Coaching Certificate.
About Amal:
“Going back to my memory a few years ago, I identified him playing at Belgaum as a player of tomorrow. I found in him solid determination and a strong will which helped him get recognition in Goa at the Age-group tournaments and Pro-league of GFA. Although injury kept him off for sometime his skill, ball-control and fighting qualities besides patience can find him a place in any average club on way to Pro I-League team in our country”.
Please keep up your efforts and you’ll be there.
Wishing you all success,
Former Footballer and the Most Respected Coach in Belgaum
Amal’s Mentor since School
About Amal:
“I have known Amal for the past 12 years in my capacity as a Coach. First came across him when I was coaching the School Team at St. Paul’s, Belgaum. I found him to be an outstanding midfielder, keen in improving his prowess and always willing to follow any advice given in order to improve the standard of his game. His relations with his fellow team-mates were always cordial and co-operative; and that contributed greatly to the spirit of bonhomie enjoyed by the team. St. Paul’s and Belgaum District have done extremely well under his leadership. ‘A fighter to the end’, I recommend Amal as a very good investment for any soccer team that would take him on”.
Director and Head, Department of Physical Education and Sports,
Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science, Margao- Goa.
About Amal:
“Amal is known to me for the past six years ever since Arjuna Awardee Shri Brahmanand Shankhwalkar rightly identified this bundle of talent and he along with three others started training and playing top level soccer in Goa. He was a student of Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, Margao and it was solely because of his tremendous play making and intelligent goal scoring abilities his College and Club- Sesa Football Academy, achieved respectable level in their various competitions. He continued to be a key member of these teams for all the years he played in Goa. He joined my College, Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science, Goa under Special Soccer Scholarship Scheme, merely because of his extra ordinary playing skills and keen interest in academics. He led Chowgule College Tigers Team to victory in the prestigious Inter-Collegiate Football Championship in the year 2008-09. He indeed is and will remain a true Tiger. He was incomparable at his position as a Central Midfielder but also shined as Right Winger from time to time. Besides being an excellent individual player, Amal is a true Team-man. He is liked by everyone who plays along his side. A very cool and composed player: and a Gentleman on and off the pitch. He will always remain in my memories. More than a student Amal is like a friend to me”.
I wish him a great future and hope that he achieves his desired goals as early as possible. Cheers to Sports and its true representatives.
MR. UMER MUTAWALLI
Head Coach, Raia Sporting Club, Goa
Holder of AFC ‘B’ License Coaching CertificateAbout Amal:
“Amal is a very good player; serious about his game; highly skillful and talented. He is a perfect choice of any Coach and Team; always punctual and regular for practices. He has got good team-spirit and is very helpful. His strengths are his stamina, sense, shooting and crossing; but at the same time also gets discouraged very soon”.
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