The Dajus of Football

You'll find them in every place where football is played. They are in love with the beautiful game and it's hard for them to imagine life or the world without Football. Yes, they are those ubiquitous “Dajus or Das of Football.” Most of these individuals are former footballers who once had a dream to become professionals but they could not make that dream come true and I think in every young footballer they see themselves and through the young boys, they want to full fill their own dream of becoming a top footballer.

Dajus are there in every match cheering for their Bhais. Shouting at them from the sidelines to do this and that. After the match taking them for snacks and tea, still lecturing on how they should have played sometimes being harsh as well and saying things like “Thukka sala testo easy goal pani miss garis”. Trying their best to encourage though they are not related however a much stronger bond of football binds them. Which for some lasts forever.

Some other Dajus are there who set up clubs with their own money and try their best to promote and give a platform to the boys from their areas. Most of them are not that rich but is always there to buy new boots or other things for the young ones, paying from their own already thin pockets. Making some excuses at home and traveling to other towns and villages for games. They often hear at home “Kay saro football ko pachi lagi rako, paunu khanu kai chaina”, but they ignore those rants and keep slugging it out as they have that commitment towards the clubs and it's young players.

Some of them even become coaches and try their best to train the bhais in a proper way. This becomes like a duty for them and every morning they turn up at the ground for practice. Leaving their personal work and other household errands. Talking with his friends after the session “Tyo bhai tah nikkai improve bhako cha ni hau”. Feeling proud and hopeful that he will go all the way to the top and become a star.

These Dajus are an integral part of football in our parts, it's the people like them who have contributed a lot in keeping the flame of football burning. Giving hope to so many Bhais. Making them feel secure that they have their backs covered. Many players who have become stars today probably had their own “Dajus” too. Maybe they called them with different names but their support might have been vital for them. Watching a young boy play in a village match, bringing him to town, buying him boots and food and everything and one day seeing him reach the stars.

Most of these Dajus are selfless people who have that unconditional love for football and they want to contribute their bit to help the game and players grow in their areas. It’s the passion that keeps them going sometimes frustration does creep in and some of them become less interested but they can never be totally cut off from the game. Some even come back and start serving the game again.

Let's find that Daju in all of us. Keeping aside our frustration and disappointments, Let's become a hope for someone. We all have faced our share of disillusionment with football. We have tried to walk away from it but the game needs another generation of Dajus and we have to be there. If we can’t play a big role we can just start by patting the backs of the Bhais who are good at football and letting them know that someone is watching them.

( I have taken the creative liberty to symbolize any person who supports football and players selflessly as "Dajus" for some it can be coach, a senior teammate or even a friend)