Baichung Bhutia has been the face of Indian soccer for the last one decade. Recuperating from an abdomenal ailment that lent him out of the game for more than two months, the ‘Silken Assassin’ talks to TWF correspondent B Arindham about his future, life and other things before leaving for Malaysia where the star striker is due to play in Malaysia Cup.

How are you doing now? How tough is it to come back from injuries?
I am absolutely fine now. In a week’s time I will be at the helm of my fitness. To your second question yes, its really tough. Each time you are injured and sidetracked you have the onus on yourself to prove that you are better than before. One has to have a lot of determination and zeal to do that. For me it’s a challenge and thankfully I have been successful in proving myself each time. I will no doubt give my best this time.

Why this sudden decision to go to Malaysia?
It’s not sudden. I had played there before and had a couple of offers from them sitting pretty. I talked with them and discussions are at an advanced stage with a couple of clubs. The fact that things did go a little awry with my club East Bengal helped me take the decision (Baichung has earlier played in Malaysia for Perak FC) .

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What is the difference between the Malaysian clubs and those here?
Organisation. The clubs are really well organised. The facilities for the players are much better. They are truly professional. Besides, there is a passion for football. Each match there is full house and it’s great to play there. The expectations are much higher too.

So wont you feel the heat?
Of course the pressure to perform is much bigger there. I will get only two months to settle down and deliver the goods. The ground is different, the conditions are different, the game is faster and the players are much more skillful. I have to perform from day one. I know this and I am prepared.

How do you choose a foreign club?
There are a lot of things that one looks into before choosing a club at a stage in the career where I am. I must know what they want and how ambitious they are. There are personal clauses and at the same time the club needs to have the desire to do well. It needs to have a good team. Then of course there is money.

But does any Indian club fit into this category when you play for them?
I know there are clubs that have the desire to do well and that is the deciding factor. You can’t expect everything from everybody, can you?

So after you return you will play for East Bengal?
I had talks with them. It’s my old club and has been with me ever since I stepped into the big league.

About the row with the club?
There was no row as such. There was a little misunderstanding. I heard that I was asked to go to the club and talk to the people. I will never go and ask a club to sign me. I have always played on my own terms. The day I have to approach a club, I will hang my boots.

Do you think that the clubs here are professional in relation to the players?
Honestly, no. But there is a sincere effort. It’s still a long way to go before developing a healthy relationship between the two. From the players’ end, they look indecisive whether to make a career out of football or treat it as a means to get a decent job and regular salary. The clubs want success. But it puts a lot of pressure on the players.

Is there any solution in sight with the introduction of professional league?
It could be a factor. But AIFF has to play a stellar role in it. They must look into the comfort level of the players and the clubs, both. The players will also need to change their mindset.

Why is there a contract row every year with some players?
The problem is that there are no clear set of guidelines. A player can commit a mistake and then his case gets pending. One should get the rules explained clearly to the players. The sooner it happens the better for everybody concerned. The relationship with the club gets affected in such cases and then a sense of mistrust is generated. Immediate intervention of the federation is needed to sort out the issue.

Do agents work in India?
I don’t think so. India doesn’t have a big market. The clubs are also not used to this kind of culture.

Coming back to you, the pre-season camp that you have missed. Will it upset your start in the season?
A lot of the training depends on the players. I keep on getting cassettes of European and Latin Amerian clubs and see how they train and practise it myself. Preparation depends on the players’ desire to succeed.

On the nation vs club issue…
In foreign countries there is a process in place. As most of the players are busy in the club engagements the national camps are short and periodic. It helps. Then there is a proper scouting and screening that helps to select players for the national side. Money is also a factor. Clubs can win tournaments, but it’s through the national team’s development, we can hope for international recognition. So this requires an immediate move from the federation to sit with the clubs. Issues like releasing of players, organising and time-span of national camps need to be sorted out.

Have you ever given your suggestion?
No, how can I just walk up to Mr Colaco or Mr Dasmunshi and say here are my suggestions. We have to sit. They also need to show an interest.