Having climbed the ladder of India football in an ascending order from Suborato Cup in school to the Tata Football Academy (TFA) he says, “I have played football all my life.”

As soon as he graduated, he was taken by East Bengal. But he had kept his head on his shoulders while tasting success. It was the confidence on his skills that he did not take time to decide to move from the football crazy maidans to Goa. He defends his move saying, “I had played the game in Kolkata and took the pressure too. But I also wanted to feel the calmness of Goan football.” Though he enjoys playing in both the states, he misses the crowds that thronged the stadiums in Kolkata.

When he joined Salgaocar, Mama wanted to be a part of the emerging team. “Though we were not winning matches, I believed that one win could change our entire team.” On Wednesday, he scored a brace at the Cooperage and got his team closer to their first win in the I-League, but luck was not on his side. It does not leave him depressed and says, “We have the maximum number of draws in the league. The day we convert the draws into victories, we will be a different team.”

Having played top-league football over the last six years has brought him closer to his idol and he gushes, “I grew up in Aizwal, looking at Baichung play. I was lucky in 1999 when I was playing for TFA in Rovers Cup and we got to play against East Bengal.” He remembers, “I did not take my eyes off Baichung. I saw him eat, interact with people and prepare before the game.” It was an unforgettable period when he played with Bhutia in the gold and red brigade and says, “I learnt a great deal from him.”

Having played in midfield right through his career Mama says, “I like to be in the striking zone.” And that is why whenever he gets the opportunity, he nets goals for Salgaocar.