The Hindu: Changing the game: hockey Olympian signs up for football coaching at 60

Nandakumar Marar

Retired from a corporate life, Maneypanda Somaya says rekindling his love for football is his only goal from the lessons for now

Fuelled by a passion for football, hockey Olympian Maneypanda Somaya is taking a new turn in life at 60. Recently retired as executive director from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, he is now learning to be an entry level football coach — when others his age, armed with professional expertise, may prefer a consulting role in the private sector.

Mr. Somaya, who led the India men’s hockey squad at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and is a three-time hockey Olympian, is the oldest trainee in a batch of 30 at Cooperage ground. He enrolled for the All India Football Federation’s D Licence certification course conducted by the Western India Football Federation (WIFA), the State governing body for the sport.

Applicants need to be above 18 years of age, with football experience in Mumbai. “Football was always my passion in school and college here. I was away from the sport due to a long hockey career and corporate life. But I was in touch by watching matches and playing, and am looking forward to getting involved in some way. The structured approach to coaching attracted me to this programme,” he says.

“I joined only to enhance my knowledge and be in touch with football. After the course is over and if I do get my licence, I will leave it to circumstances how things pan out. Honestly, at the moment, the only thing is to rekindle my passion for the sport. If there is no coaching assignment after this, I would be very happy with just the knowledge gained. Fitness is a challenge. I am playing after eight to 10 years, so I’m trying to push myself and get fitter.”

‘A global sport’

The Arjuna awardee, a specialist in the midfield position, retired from competitive sport after the 1988 Seoul Games — Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 were his two other Olympic appearances — and from BPCL in 2017 at the age of 58. Two years later, he chose football ahead of hockey or corporate life.

“In hockey, there are coaching programmes, but football has a stronger structure. The challenges are much more than hockey, since football is truly a global sport, played by more people across age groups everywhere in India. Consulting did not interest me as I have had a full corporate life.”

He has no club to coach after the course as yet, but is excited to use management skills in learning something new. “In my capacity working with BPCL as executive director and as member of the senior management council, mentoring new entrants was part of the job.”

He had competed earlier in the Harwood Football League (for Mahindra Tractors) and the First Division (Catholic Gymkhana, Dadar XI). “I am three decades behind [fellow trainees]. I played many years ago at the highest levels in Mumbai. The younger lot are more knowledgeable, coaching techniques have changed, there is so much to learn. Enrolling for the D Licence is only a part of it. Football is a huge subject, and we are probably only touching the outer crust.”

Like most Mumbai hockey internationals, football was a constant companion for Mr. Somaya from his schooldays at St Mary’s and a passion right through at Mahindra & Mahindra, playing football and hockey. “I was initially a footballer and as a converted hockey player, football footwork and agility was always an asset in hockey at every level.” Now at 60, he is proving that learning never stops.