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Uday Konar: He played in Mohun Bagan. Former footballer Uday Konar is now selling clothes on the streets of Mumbai.
Calcutta : The plight of Indian football once again became evident! Another football talent in crisis. Footballer Uday Konar, who once represented India’s top local club, is forced to earn a living as a hawker at the age of 52.
He was once an important footballer of Mohun Bagan. Currently, he sells products on the busy streets and sidewalks of South Mumbai. Koner was once a nightmare for opposition defenders. He is best known as a member of Mohun Bagan’s 2001–02 National Football League (now I-League) winning team.
While living in Mumbai, he played for the city’s top clubs such as Air India and Mahindra & Mahindra. He also represented Churchill Brothers, Salgaonkar, Goa. He has to run his own small business to earn a living.
Having won a gold medal in football at the 1999 National Games and represented in the 2000 Santosh Trophy, he is now keen to return as a coach to train the state’s young football players.
Conner said, “I am a trained footballer. I have played for big clubs. If the Maharashtra government gives me a special ground under Project ‘Mahadev’, the state’s initiative to identify and develop the football talent of under-13 boys and girls. I am ready to train young, talented players. I want to pass on all my skills and experience to the next generation.”
Despite being a well-known name in Indian football, Koner could not save enough for his retirement. The main reason, he says, was “internal politics”. He has represented 27 clubs. His salary went from 8 thousand taka to 5 lakh taka per month at one point, but still could not secure his future.
“There was no transparency at that time. Some clubs were not paying my full salary and internal politics also affected my income,” he said. Koner played alongside some of India’s best footballers, such as Atanu Bhattacharya, I.M. Vijayan, Carlton Chapman, Vaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri. He has also represented India in the AFC Club Championship.
Kolkata [Calcutta]Kolkata, West Bengal
Uday Konar: Star footballer is now a hawker! The former star of Mohun Bagan is now selling clothes on the sidewalk! Tears will come to your eyes
