‘Chirag, my launch pad’

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Less than six months ago, Shaijumon was your traditional winger — attention-grabbing and ambitious — as he laboured through the flanks of the now defunct Chirag United Kerala in the I-League.

The traits remain unchanged for the boy who spent years playing on the beaches of Valiyathura in Thiruvananthapuram, but his game has attained a whole new dimension since shifting to Kolkata as the only Malayali presence in both the Pailan Arrows and the India U-23 side.

“I must admit my understanding of football has undergone a drastic change in the last four months,” says Shaijumon, sounding more mature than the in-house comedian image he had while at Chirag.

“I have learnt many things in the past few months about positioning, holding the ball, retaining possession and lot more. It’s a lot different from what I thought I knew,” says the 21-year-old former Chandni FC player.

While the last few months of the season were devastating for Chirag, it was an opportunity for Shaijumon to rediscover himself — he was one of the few mid-season signings and was given time on the pitch often as a second half substitute.

“Chirag was my launch pad, but I was made a player at Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur. I am thankful to every coach, especially Narayana Menon sir, who helped me grow.”

At Pailan, he has evolved from the usual bit-part role and is now set to play fulltime against Air India, in round two of the League tomorrow. Shaijumon feels he is where he really belongs at last.

“When I was chosen to play for India U-23 I would pinch myself now and then to confirm it was really happening.

The coach (Arthur Papas) is amazing. He tells us to treat football as an inseparable part of oneself — to form a bond with it and make the game fun and challenging at the same time,” says Shaijumon, who made his debut against Lebanon in the qualifying round for AFC U-22 Asian Cup.

Like any young Indian player, Shaijumon wants to progress into the senior side, but he wants to have a simultaneous career as a professional club footballer. “I believe I am moving in the right direction and I just want to keep moving,” he smiles.