IM Vijayan, Kerala's football legend, turns 50

Vijayan holds the Indian record for scoring the fastest goal in the International match when he scored just after 12 seconds against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF games.

Trishur : Inivalappil Mani Vijayan , also known as Kalo Harin (Black Dear) , was one of the most aggressive and deadly strikers in Indian football. Born on April 25,1969 in Thrissur, Kerala, I M Vijayan was a school dropout.

His early life was spent by selling soda bottles in the Trichur Municipal Stadium before starting his career as a footballer. He was fortunately spotted by the then DGP of Kerala, M. K. Joseph from the Thrissur streets and brought under the tutelage of Sridharan and T. K. Chathunny for the Kerala Police football team.

I. M. Vijayan made his international debut in 1989 and represented India in many international tournaments like the Nehru Cup, Pre-World Cup, Pre-Olympics, SAF Games, Sahara Cup and SAAF Cup. In the 90s’, he teamed up with Baichung Bhutia to form one of the deadly forward lines of Indian Football.

After staying with Kerala Police for four years ,Vijayan, moved to Mohun Bagan and later played for many major clubs which include JCT Mills Phagwara, FC Kochin, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers.

He was awarded the “Best Footballer of the Year” in 1993, 97 and 99. He was awarded Arjuna Award in 2003.

Read :Indians deserve chance as national football coach

He holds the Indian record for scoring the fastest goal in the International match when he scored just after 12 seconds against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF games.

From 2000 till '04 , I. M. Vijayan was the skipper of the national team .

Post retirement, Vijayan has set up a football academy in Kerala to train young and enthusiastic players.