In his halcyon days, Abdul Khalique was a quality footballer who impressed one and all with his incisive runs down the flanks. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was a star in the Maidan who fashioned many a victory for his clubs, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting. The lanky winger also represented the country for seven years.

The 39-year-old is now fighting against poverty. A helper with the South Eastern Central Railway in Nagpur, Khalique is fighting for justice.

Not often do you see a former India international working as a helper. Khalique has been doing this for the last 15 years as his appeals to make his life better have fallen on deaf ears. In his last-ditch effort, he has written to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and is expecting a positive reply.

“I must admit that I have some drawbacks. I couldn’t pass the 10th standard. Also, I had been on leave without pay for 10 years due to my club commitments. Still, you don’t treat a former India player this way. Without a promotion for the last 15 years, life has become very difficult for me. I feel humiliated and I seek justice,” Khalique told

The Indian Express.

The former player has also written to the Union Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed and the leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal State Assembly Partha Chatterjee. “Mr Chatterjee has promised that he will look into the matter and will talk with Mamata Banerjee for my promotion,” Khalique said.

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