Post HC order, footballer Ali back in game

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 28

Adampur-based footballer Anwar Ali (20), who was barred from the sport after being diagnosed with congenital heart condition, is back in the game. Ali is currently playing Himachal State League matches as part of Techtro Swades United Club.

Ali, who belongs to a family of Gujjars from Chumo village in Adampur, has represented India in several under-15, under-17 and under-19 tournaments.

In September, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) had barred him from playing competitive football owing to his health condition. The footballer had taken the matter to the Delhi High Court. On October 20, the court allowed Ali to continue playing till the AIFF arrived at a final decision.

Contesting the ban, Ali had claimed that a doctor from the PGIMER, Chandigarh, had given him a go-ahead to play football.

An alumnus of Mohali’s Minerva Academy, Ali said the AIFF’s decision had snatched his livelihood as he was the sole bread earner of the family.

His father Razak Ali said: “Doctors have told us that Ali is in the low-risk category. He feels energetic and is doing well in his game. He can’t think of a life without football. My son is performing well for his new club. I intend to go to Una for his next league match. He is likely to participate in the Punjab League and Delhi League too.”

Modest background

• Anwar Ali belongs to a family of Gujjars from Chumo village in Adampur, Jalandhar
• He has represented India in several national and international tournaments
• In September, the AIFF had barred him from playing owing to his health condition
• The footballer moved the Delhi High Court, which allowed him to continue playing till AIFF’s final decision
• Ali’s father Razak Ali claims that doctors have given him a go-ahead to play football since he is in the low-risk category