Are you so passionate about sports that you’d like to make a career of it? Not everyone has what it takes to become a professional sportsman. Even for those who do, a back-up profession is usually needed. What better way to ensure you’ll always be involved in something you love than by choosing an occupation that will keep you close to the playing field?
But doing things what one wants can bring out the best of oneself. This is the mantra of a former employee of the Indian Bank in Chennai, Dharmaraj Ravanan who quit his cosy bank job to turn professional footballer. But he would not have made to where he is today (Bharath FC, Pune) but for the move he made in the year 2004. From a nine-to-five job in the bank to a five-tonine with football, Ravanan has made it big in this beautiful game which has given him everything he needs, and most importantly, lets him do what he loves. “Yes, people look at me and I also hear some saying, ‘this guy has left a bank job to play football -- how stupid’, but they are not aware that I am doing what I want to do and am happy. My passion for the game has multiplied in leaps and bounds, and what more can I ask for?” asks Ravanan.
“I am sure anybody can achieve any milestone if they do what they want to do with a set goal”
“It has been a tough call, but my parents have been very supportive. I come from a family where education has not been at the forefront of things. Neither of my parents are educated, nor are my grandparents. There was celebration in the house when I made it to college, the first one to do so in the last four generations,” he reminisces.
“I had answered my first year exams and I got a call from the bank. Again, all my relatives were happy, as everyone is aware that getting a bank job is like hitting the jackpot. And it was because of football that I got the bank job. I was happy again. It was not the end for me; I wanted to be a professional footballer. Playing for the bank and getting paid for it did sound cosy, and again people around me were very happy. But, I was not, as I was in my early 20’s and wanted to make the most of it in this game. Within a year of my tenure with the bank job, to my total surprise, I got a call from Sir Armando Colaco, the coach of Dempo Sports Club, one of the top professional teams in the country. This happened in the year 2004,” he explains.
Since then, this Tiruchirappalli defender has become a household name in Indian football. “I am sure anybody can achieve any milestone if they do what they want to do with a set goal. I have done that and have started my journey for more success,” he adds. “This was the turning point in my life. I thought to myself, what if my parents are against it? But they asked me to take the call. I grabbed the opportunity and since then have been walking up the football ladder,” says Ravanan. “I have changed five jerseys, now I am with Bharat FC for the I-League this season. The Indian Super League (ISL) has given a new hope to Indian football. I am sure if the trend continues, football will reach new heights,” says he, his face lit with hope.
“I would say football has changed in many ways. It was the Indian League which lifted up the game to a different level, and ISL making its debut has added many a new flavour to the sport. I am sure in our country where every kid wants to become Sachin Tendulkar, the days are not far when we can see a David Beckham or Wayne Rooney on the Indian soil, and we will also have some of our fellow players making their way into the English Premier League. So football is shaping up well. Football has given me everything, and now I want to give back to the game,” says Ravanan.
“My message to budding players, do what you want to, never do something to please others, but yourself,” he sums up.
By Joe Williams
