Anas Edathodika: My first priority is national duty, then responsibility as a son
Who will at first priority National duty or family?
Very few of us face the
dilemma but National Team defender Anas Edathodika was persuaded by his family
members to go and serve his Country at a time when his father “could barely
speak to him.”
"My father is not in a good shape and
when I last saw him, he was not even able to speak to me. Even coach asked me
personally whether I want to stay with my family. I was really moved by that,”
the sturdy defender’s voice choked a bit while talking.
"The elder members
of my family asked me to go back and do my duty for my Country which is the
possibly the best way to give him some solace.”
Hailing from a
middle-class family, Ansa is barely two matches old in International Football,
both of which matches he started alongside Sandesh Jhingan.
"I have always aspired to play with
Sandesh-bhai. 2-3 years back, I used to boost myself up thinking about sharing
the pitch with him. By God's grace, I got the call up this year and playing
along with him."
But the very next moment he added: "No
one is sure about their slot in the Team. Arnab-bhai is there, Ganesh, Cardozo
everyone is ready to give it a shot. Eventually, it's the Coach's call but I
feel the sheer competition among ourselves makes us more perfect."
Anas adds that the
National Team call-up has been the “best thing” to have happened to him.
"When I first started, I was naive. I had
actually no idea about the professional structure. I started my career under
David Booth and from there everything has been at the right place and now, I'm
here with the National Team -- the best thing ever happened to me."
How do you feel after
playing for National Team?
“When I got this
(pointing the National Jersey), it was like I fell numb. Until then it was
representing a club or a region. But the National team jersey entrusts you with
more responsibility. It makes you feel
immensely proud”.
Anas added:
"Fortunately, we have written quite a few newer chapters in Indian
Football history -- be it beating Myanmar in Myanmar after 64 years or winning
an International Friendly match at the foreign soil after 11 years -- we have
accomplished them."
What is the plan against Kyrgyzstan?
"It's about putting all our efforts on
the pitch and executing the plan well. We're aware of the fact that we're going
to create history of winning eight on the trot if we win this match, but right
now, we're not letting it overtake us. We'll continue to give our best, the
result will follows.
Anas Edathodika is the I-League best defender of
the season 2016-17
After the match between India vs Kyrgyzstan we will be posting the highlights.