Hailing from an obscure village in Sikkim, Bhaichung Bhutia has traversed the arduous path from being a 16-year-old wonder boy of Indian football to the torch-bearer of the sport in the country.

Whether it is the superb hat-trick effort for Mohun Bagan in the Super Cup final earlier this year or that late equaliser to salvage a creditable draw against Lebanon in the World Cup qualifiers last month, the striker has silenced critics who believe that he is past his prime. Bhutia was in Bangalore last week to walk the ramp in the Chivas Fashion Tour ‘07. The footballer, who led India to their only Nehru Cup triumph in August, spoke to Deccan Herald on his life-long obsession. Excerpts:

Has the loss to Lebanon affected the morale of the team?

Not at all. In the last six months, we have played really well. We have lost only two out of 18 matches. But people generally rate us on rankings which is not fair. In the next five months, we are not playing any international games and naturally the rankings will come down. So it is necessary to have more international experience.

How far have foreign trips helped?

The Portuguese trip and Dubai camp were good for the team. More the exposure you get, the better you become and the results are there to see.

How do you rate Bob Houghton as a coach?

India won the Nehru Cup for the first time under him and that itself is a great achievement. There is no point in comparing Bob with his predecessors. He is obviously the best. And he has big credentials, not only in India but all over the world. I think the team is reaping the benefits of his expertise.

But Houghton’s assertion on the basic requirement of height did not have many takers, did it?

People have taken it in a different sense. What he had said was that height plays a part. There is no need to read too much into that. After all, football is not all about height. But yes, it is significant when it comes to certain aspects of the game.

Indian juniors are doing well for the past few years. What do you think of their performances?

Actually, a lot of youngsters are now making it to the national team. And I think it is a very encouraging sign. A good percentage of players in the squad are under 23. So, the transition is happening in its own away.

How are you preparing for the upcoming I-league (national football league) ?

Preparations are going on well. Bagan is doing well in the Calcutta Premier League. We are on the verge of winning the title. I am sure we will have a good season ahead.

You have not scored many goals for Bagan this season. Does that worry you?

People always expect so much from me every time. I play my best out there. It is quite difficult to play on top form every time. Anyway, I am happy with my game.

What changes do you expect for the national league as it turns to a ‘professional league’ this season?

It’s the first year and good to have an experiment like this. Let’s see how it goes.

Your opinion about Bengal clubs missing out on the Durand Cup?

We missed the Durand Cup because we were engaged with the Calcutta league. We play plenty of domestic tournaments and I feel there are too many matches now. It would be a good idea to reduce the number of matches in a season. Also, the local organisers should make sure that their fixtures do not clash with important tournaments like the Durand Cup.

Do you think the presence of foreign players will deny chances for Indian players?

When clubs buy foreign players, they buy the best they can afford. It is the case everywhere in the world.

Surprisingly in India, clubs spend mainly on strikers. So there is tough competition for native footballers, particularly strikers and competition is always good.

Indian hockey players recently protested seeking recognition. Do footballers face a similar situation ?

It was unfair for the hockey players. The situation can improve in football too.

What do you have to say on football in the North East?

What cricket is to India, football is to the North East. The game is very popular there and the kids love it. But, then there are problems with infrastructure as it is difficult to build grounds in a hilly terrain.