By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Kerala bid a tearful adieu to its son, former international footballer C Jabir on Monday, after he died following an accident at Musliyarangadi near Kondotty in Malappuram during the wee hours of Sunday. The former Kerala Police team winger was serving the force as Circle Inspector with the Malabar Special Police (MSP) camp here in Pandikkad after retiring from football.
Jabir’s body is taken for burial
The player drew accolades from football lovers in Kerala for his speed. According to football enthusiasts, his ability in rapidly changing positions will be remembered forever. “He was a fighter. He kept the energy of his team members intact,” reminisced Jabir’s colleague and former international player U Sharafali, who was also Jabir’s childhood friend.
“The gentleman in ground and dressing room was successful in materializing his ideas. He played in various positions: full back, half back and centre back. My friend was fit to stand at almost all positions the coaches demanded to play,” Sharafali said.
The former international made his debut with the national team in 1995 after featuring for local clubs, Kerala Police team and Kerala State team. He represented the state team six times in Santhosh Trophy. A defender who mostly played on the right side, Jabir, along with former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia, made their debuts for the national football team at the 1995 Nehru Cup in Kolkata under Uzbek coach Rustam Akramov. The team was captained by late V P Sathyan.
Jabir with I M Vijayan
His teammates still remember the enthralling victory of Kerala Police against Salgaocar in the final match of Federation Cup in 1990. He was team member while Kerala team won the gold medal in National Games of 1997.
Born at Therattammal in Areacode, popularly known as the Football Village of Malappuram, Jabir started playing at local school ground and began his career at Mampad Muslim Education Society (MES) College. He was selected to University of Calicut team in 1989.
Early Sunday morning, his car collided with a lorry on the Kozhikode-Palakkad National Highway. He was taken to a nearby private hospital but doctors said he was brought dead. He was laid to rest at Therattammal Juma Masjid cremation ground with full state honours. Former footballers I M Vijayan, U Sharafali, C V Pappachan, Kurikesh Mathew and coach T K Chathunni paid their last respects at his residence. His body was taken for public viewing at MSP camp in Malappuram. He is survived by his wife Naseema, son Fahad Jabir and two daughters Sida Jabir and Rinda Jabir.