Feature: Maharaja Speaks Football

Pradyot Deb Barman is the current Maharaja of Tripura, and a very popular one at that. Interestingly, he's quite the football fanatic, and plans to involve himself completely in the betterment of the sport in the northeast and give his people what they've wanted for so many years. Goal.com's Atishay Agarwal had the honour of speaking with him...

02-Aug-2008 3:11:40 PM

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I was asked to wait for 10 minutes, and the 11th minute he was with me. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought he was one of ‘us’. Clad in a tee and jeans, I needed an affirmation from him to really know that it was actually him. “Hi, I’m Pradyot”, he said. Was I really meeting a king?

Yes I was. Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman is the current Maharaja of Tripura, the second oldest dynasty in the world, and at all of 30 years, is one of the most eligible bachelors and popular leaders in the country. “We’re not Rajputs. We don’t have thick moustaches and play polo all the time. We’re simple tribal people from Tripura, who love music and sports, just like anybody else.” Along with being the 186th King in a straight line of his dynasty, he is also the chairman of the only heritage hotel in the north-east, and is the owner, publisher, and editor of the most widely read magazine in the region, TNT (The Northeast Today).

Talking to him is relatively simple, as he senses the initial uneasiness and goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable instantly, especially when football is discussed. The man is a football fanatic in the truest sense of the term, and a sports enthusiast in general. “Sport is not just about running around and physical fitness. It’s much more about the brain. Football, or any other sport, is played more in the mind than on the field.” I nod along as he continues, “What sport does is make an individual much more confident in himself and his abilities, and helps develop a well-rounded personality. I really want this mentality to cement itself in the masses.”

The sheer passion with which he discusses sport would amaze and inspire one and all, and I was no exception. This King is not just an admirer of sport, though, he is quite a sportsman himself. He’s represented his club and state at both football and cricket at various junior levels, following his father’s footsteps. “I’ve gone to watch a few games in the last two World Cups in Korea and Germany. Also, I remember going to watch Mohun Bagan’s matches in Kolkata on a regular basis with my friends, and eat the cheenabadam which was sold outside the stadium, just like any other spectator.” Now that’s a true sports enthusiast talking, I tell myself.

Coming to football, the Maharaja describes it as his passion, one which he has inherited from his father. He recognizes the fact that the northeast, despite being a powerhouse of talent, remains obscurely absent from the national scene, often forcing youngsters from the region to shift to Kolkata in search of greener pastures. This, along with his true love for the sport, forms the prime reason for his decision to form a new club. “We need to have a pan-northeast club, which can truly represent the region. The people deserve it.” He also recognizes Shillong Lajong SC as the best in the region at the moment, and has a few words to say about its General Secretary Mr.Sawyan as well. “Ming is a dear friend of mine, and was my football captain in school, where he studied with me!”

When asked why he doesn’t adopt the quicker and easier route, and sponsor an existing club, he replies emphatically, “I want to start from scratch.” He goes on about how he wants to build a club on his own, and fulfil his father’s dream. “I’m only 30, and still unmarried, so I want to focus on this dream of mine, and make it come true as soon as possible.” He will not be held to ransom over the finances either, as there are no plans to involve a corporate house in the proceedings. “The club’s financing will be done by me alone, if no one else pitches in”, he vouches, as I sense the fierce determination in his voice. He also plans to form a sports club, which would involve training facilities in cricket, football, boxing etc, with state-of-the-art facilities, and a special emphasis on youth development. There are plans to produce t-shirts, scarves, flags etc bearing the club’s logo and colours. “It’s about creating an identity, something the people can associate with.”

Youth is at the center of all the Maharaja’s plans. In fact, that’s what he stands for, and it gets him talking like nothing else. “The northeast, and India, can never make progress in football until we start giving more importance to really young players, and have more U-14, U-16 competitions.” He then tells me how he plans to hold a mega U-14 tournament early next year once the school examinations are over. The tournament, which will be in his grandfather’s name, will be held in a World Cup format, with 32 teams from the northeast, and elsewhere. Sixteen of these teams will be U-14 club sides, whereas the other 16 teams will be ones which have formed on their own for the tournament, and will be selected after a qualifying process. This would encourage youngsters to take the sport seriously, form their own teams, and take part in a big, well-organized tournament.

The prize money on offer would be much higher than other junior tournaments, which is bound to attract a number of these kids to the event. “Our job doesn’t end with the tournament. We will identify the stand-out talents at the tournament and sponsor their education, footballing, and academic. I want to give something back to the people of the region in return for their love for the game, and this is my way of doing it.”

The Tripura league, as you would think, isn’t one of the better or more lucrative leagues in India. “Why would any youngster risk playing at a high level and risk getting injured when his efforts aren’t being aptly rewarded?” he vehemently asks, rather rhetorically. He plans to inject money into this ailing league, and make it more attractive for current and budding players alike. Talks are on, and if all goes well, the prize money for the players, coaches, and other officials involved in the league will increase enough to make the league lucrative for any youngster. Also, one of his finest ideas in my view is that he plans not to charge any child for his ticket to the league games. “I want children to take to the sport, and this is a very simple way to attract them, and make them have some fun.”

On to a slightly lighter note, he talks about how Diego Maradona inspired him to get into football in the first place. “Maradona was great, but my all-time favourite player has to be Gabriel Batistuta. I also admire Messi, Tevez, and Maldini in the current European scene.” Needless to say, he’s a big fan of the Argentina national side and Argentine football in general. Exotic taste, indeed.

I eventually returned after taking a considerable chunk of his time, feeling confident that football is now getting the aid and recognition it so deserves, and is in safe hands, at least in the northeast. Also, I realized that royalty doesn't lie in the attire, the hobbies, or the way you’re known to people. It’s in giving your people what they want, selflessly.

Take a bow, Your Highness.

Atishay Agarwal

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