In January 1998, Harish Rao, the then coach of Mahindra and Mahindras (original name of this now defunct club) was sitting at his hotel lobby in Goa, awaiting the arrival of a Nigerian striker who had joined his team to boost their attack. The striker arrived, in casual attire, with a haversack slung on his back. Rao was shocked and after some questioning realised that the hired player was not a seasoned professional but a University student in India.
Recruitment of foreigners in the opening two editions of the National Football League (NFL) was a hit and miss affair. Rao’s predicament was symptomatic of most NFL clubs in the initial years. With India not having a reputation of a football playing country, our club officials had little contact with agents around the world and depended on hearsay for recruitment. Foreigners were mostly signed from neighbouring South Asian countries or consisted of players like Chima Okorie, Bernard Oparanozie, Christopher, Musa Aliu and Stephen Abarowei who were already playing in India. Sturdy defender Samuel Omollo (East Bengal), a Kenyan international, and lethal striker Percy Mwase (Churchill Brothers) of Zimbabwe were the only two classy foreigners in the initial years.
The inflow of foreign talent to India has improved by leaps and bounds, as club officials are now more aware of the intricacies of international transfers. They now rely on registered agents, former foreign players and visits abroad to scour for talent.
Since 2007, three players with World Cup experience have played here. They are speedy winger Macdonald Mujansi (South Africa) who played in the 2002 World Cup and joined East Bengal in 2007-08, midfielder Densil Theobald (a Trinidad squad member for the 2006 World Cup), helped Dempo win the 5th I-League and midfielder Carlos Hernandez (Costa Rica) played for Prayag United in the 6th I-League.
Another World Cupper, G. Cornell Glen of Trinidad & Tobago will play in the 7th League. Striker Glen, who played as a substitute in Trinidad’s three World Cup matches in 2006, has joined Shillong Lajong.
The advent of foreign coaches for I-League clubs has also improved recruitment of players. For instance Karim Bencharifa has managed to get Singapore-based players to play in the I-League. Similarly the Aussie Arthur Papas, who has joined Dempo this year, has also used his contacts Down Under to benefit his club.
Papas has persuaded the 34-year-old defender Simon Colismo who has played 25 matches for Australia to join Dempo this season. This 6ft tall defender has played for both Manchester City and Royal Antwerp (Belgium). A decorated player in the Australian league he has played for Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Melbourne Hearts. Colismo the 2nd English Premier League player to join Dempo will bolster the defence and guide younger defenders like Prathamesh Maulingkar (joined from Pailan Arrows) and Joy Ferrao.
Papas also used his contacts to procure the services of 29-year-old former Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker, Billy Mehmet, who has played in the Scottish Premier League and A-League. Similarly 30-year-old French born Moroccan international Abderrahman Kabous is linked with Pune FC. So the quality of foreign recruits in the I-League is improving each year.