Editor’s be aware: That is the fifth in a collection of articles on the Indian soccer nationwide workforce in connection to India@75. The author has coated numerous features of the sport, from captains to coaches, through the interval between 1948-2022.

Balai Dey was solely 10 months previous when Jawaharlal Nehru famously introduced that India had made a tryst with future lengthy years in the past and the time had come to redeem the pledge. His household had been then dwelling in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

Dey, now 76, can not recall how his household spent the day on August 14, 1947, as residents of the opposite new-born nation, Pakistan. However he does keep in mind how he grew up in Khulna and Dhaka and went on to grow to be one of many high footballers of the nation.

Then, in 1965, his household moved to India. As a consequence, Dey achieved one thing which is actually distinctive: he’s the one dwelling footballer within the subcontinent who has represented each India and Pakistan in worldwide soccer.

Earlier than him, the visitors had gone the opposite method: Taj Mohammed who represented India within the 1948 Olympics and A Latif who turned out for the 1960 video games went on emigrate to Pakistan and signify the nationwide workforce on the opposite aspect of the border.

A novel change

Dey, who now lives in Liluah close to Kolkata, recounted his story in a current interview to Scroll.in. As a goalkeeper, he was discovered to be so gifted that he was inducted within the Pakistan nationwide workforce even earlier than he obtained his college leaving certificates. He was despatched for the tour of China and as Dey did a beautiful job beneath the bar, he was picked up once more when a robust Soviet Union aspect visited Pakistan to play matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Dhaka and different main cities. By the point Dey was 18, he was one in every of Pakistan’s main footballers and a helpful member of the mighty Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting.

“However issues modified dramatically after this,” recalled Dey in his mild and amiable voice. “Half of my household was already dwelling in India. In January 1965, I crossed over to India by means of Petrapole border and life modified thereafter. We determined to remain in India and by no means once more returned to Dhaka or Khulna besides for infrequent visits.”

Whereas shifting to India after elders in his household determined to, Dey was afraid his profession as a footballer would come to an finish. Quite the opposite, it solely flourished after he settled in Kolkata. Presents got here pouring from the town’s high golf equipment and Dey had the excellence of donning the jersey of each East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

It didn’t finish there. Within the 1969-’70 season, Dey was in such dazzling kind that he was inducted within the Indian workforce for the Merdeka match. Then coach, Jarnail Singh, was so impressed with him that Dey was his first alternative goalkeeper in all of the matches.

“I’m grateful to God for what I obtained in life,” Dey mentioned. “I did come over to India, however behind the thoughts I had felt I let down Pakistan, particularly my motherland, which is now Bangladesh. However as soon as Bangladesh was born, one thing occurred that left me immensely happy.”

“In 1972, I used to be in East Bengal and went to play exhibition matches in Bangladesh. Fortunately, I knew Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman from my childhood days due to my household connections. When the East Bengal workforce paid a go to to the nice man, he advised me that originally individuals had been upset that I left Pakistan to maneuver to India. However everyone was glad after I achieved a lot in India. ‘We at the moment are happy with you,’ he mentioned. I couldn’t management my tears when Bangabandhu mentioned these phrases.”

Monu Bagan legend

Having retired from a PSU, Dey now has a contended life together with his kids well-settled. However issues didn’t look too rosy when he crossed over from Pakistan in 1965.

“I had no job then. The South Japanese Railways, which had a star-studded aspect referred to as BNR, contacted me and supplied me a job if I agreed to play for them. I used to be prepared for it, however they by no means may handle my worldwide switch clearance. I used to be utterly stranded. As I used to be getting completely pissed off, Jyotish Guha, then the highest official of East Bengal, contacted me.

“Mr Guha mentioned he was not able to supply me a job, however he would get my worldwide clearance finished if I performed for East Bengal. I agreed and joined East Bengal. He was an excellent man, he even bought my brother a job,” mentioned Dey.

However Balai Dey’s finest seasons had been for Mohun Bagan, one thing he admits on a regular basis. “My finest 12 months was 1969. I used to be in Mohun Bagan and gained the ‘double’ in Kolkata – the league and the IFA Protect. Within the Protect remaining, we beat East Bengal 3-1 and my goalkeeping earned numerous reward. I used to be referred to as for nationwide obligation then,” he mentioned proudly.

Dey was in nice demand on the circuit. In the course of the nationwide camp in Mumbai, he needed to rush to Nowgong, Assam (now Nagaon) in a number of hours’ discover after receiving an SOS from the Bengal workforce administration. “I used to be within the camp, however was advised to go to Nowgong instantly as Bengal wanted me badly for the Santosh Trophy. I took a flight, reached Assam and performed. Within the remaining, we defeated Providers 6-1,” he recalled.

Requested how he spent the Independence Day throughout his taking part in days, Dey mentioned he had related experiences in each Pakistan and India. “Once I was in Dhaka, I used to participate in Independence Day tournaments on August 14. Once I crossed over, my routine remained the identical – to play in tournaments organised to have a good time Independence Day, in fact on August 15,” he mentioned.

When in Dhaka, Dey used to play for Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting, one of many best sides in then East Pakistan. It offered him the chance to rub shoulders with the perfect in Pakistan. Based on Dey, Pakistan, throughout his time, had some great footballers, who had been admired even in locations like China and Russia.

“Within the Pakistan nationwide workforce, we had gamers like midfielder Gafoor and defender Turab Ali, who had been exceptionally gifted. Pity the present technology will not be conscious of them. Once I came visiting to India, I used to be most impressed by gamers like Chuni Goswami and Syed Nayeemuddin. I haven’t seen one other skillful participant like Chuni-da,” mentioned Dey.

Now, wanting again at his profession, Dey mentioned he has no remorse.

“Whether or not in Pakistan or India, I obtained all of the assist I wanted as a footballer. I used to be simply out of faculty after I bought chosen for the Pakistan nationwide workforce. The workforce’s everlasting goalkeeper was Latif, then a longtime title in Pakistan soccer. However he all the time inspired me and I bought into the beginning eleven fairly often,” mentioned Dey.

“After coming to India, after I joined East Bengal, their first-choice goalkeeper was Peter Thangaraj. Naturally, I didn’t obtain too many alternatives to play. So, I shifted to Mohun Bagan and have become a star there. Until right this moment, everybody in Mohun Bagan respects me, lately they conferred me with the Lifetime Achievement award. What number of sportspersons on this nation can boast of taking part in for 2 nations? On a regular basis I thank God for giving me a lot. He has given me greater than I deserve.”