I. M. Vijayan Explained

I.M. Vijayan
Fullname:Inivalappil Mani Vijayan
Birth Date:1969 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Thrissur, Kerala, India
Position:Striker
Years1:1987–1991
Years2:1991–1992
Years3:1992–1993
Years4:1993–1994
Years5:1994–1997
Years6:1997–1998
Years7:1998–1999
Years8:1999–2001
Years9:2001–2002
Years10:2002–2004
Years11:2004–2005
Years12:2005–2006
Clubs1:Kerala Police
Clubs2:Mohun Bagan
Clubs3:Kerala Police
Clubs4:Mohun Bagan
Clubs5:JCT Mills Phagwara
Clubs6:FC Kochin
Clubs7:Mohun Bagan
Clubs8:FC Kochin
Clubs9:East Bengal Club
Clubs10:JCT
Clubs11:Churchill Brothers
Clubs12:East Bengal Club
Caps4:55
Caps5:44
Caps6:50
Caps7:33
Caps8:47
Caps9:18
Caps10:34
Caps11:16
Caps12:41
Goals1:33
Goals2:27
Goals3:30
Goals4:18
Goals5:19
Goals6:24
Goals7:15
Goals8:22
Goals9:19
Goals10:10
Goals11:22
Goals12:11
Totalcaps:284
Totalgoals:142
Nationalyears1:1992–2003
Nationalteam1:India
Nationalcaps1:72
Nationalgoals1:29

Inivalappil Mani Vijayan (born 25 April 1969), also known by the nickname Kalo Hiran (Blackbuck),[1] is a former professional football player who also captained the India national football team. He played as a striker,[2] where he formed a successful attacking partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia for the India national football team in the late nineties and early 2000s. Vijayan was crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999,[3] the first player to win the award multiple times.[4] He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003.[5]

Vijayan started his career with the Kerala Police football club and rose to become one of the top names in domestic football. A highly aggressive player, he eventually became the highest earner in Indian club football as well as a regular choice in the Indian team. He scored one of the fastest ever international goals in a match against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games, where he managed to score in 12 seconds after kickoff.

Vijayan's talents attracted interest from the clubs in Malaysia and Thailand, although he spent his entire career in India until retirement. By the end of his career he had scored 29 international goals in 72 matches for India. Since retiring from international football, Vijayan has set up a football academy to train young players in his home town. He was the captain of Indian football team from 2000 to 2004.

Vijayan has also acted in some notable roles in many movies. One of his movies, Mmmmm was shortlisted for India's entry into the 93rd Academy Awards.[6]

Early life and domestic career

Vijayan was born into a Malayali Family[7] on 25 April 1969 at Thrissur City, Kerala. He began his life in a gravely poor environment, and had to sell soda bottles in the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium to help his family. Vijayan started out as a soda seller in the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium, Kerala earning 10 paise. (0.02 Cents) a bottle He studied in Church Mission Society High School, Thrissur (CMSHSS, Thrissur). He had passion for the game of football, and somehow caught the eye of the then DGP of Kerala, M.K. Joseph who got him selected for the Kerala Police football club at 17 years of age. Vijayan delivered brilliant performances for Kerala Police at Quilon Nationals 1987, and was able to impress the national football fraternity very soon with his impeccable skills and highly aggressive style of playing. He continued to play for Kerala Police until 1991. He then joined Mohun Bagan, before coming back to Kerala Police in 1992 and then switching back to Mohun Bagan the very next year for a second spell at the club. In 1994, he joined JCT Mills Phagwara, and stayed with them for 3 more years until 1997, when he left JCT to join FC Kochin. After spending a one year tenure with the club, he moved once more to Mohun Bagan in 1998, his third spell with the club, and then returned to FC Kochin in 1999.[8] [9]

In August 2000, during the off-season, Vijayan joined Bangladeshi Dhaka Premier Division League club Muktijoddha Sangsad and appeared in five league matches,[10] [11] while the lack of international transfer certificate behind the signing caused a fine of 50,000 rupees by the All India Football Federation in March 2001.[12] He rejoined FC Kochin later and played until 2001.[13] He later signed with East Bengal, before leaving in 2002 to join JCT Mills Phagwara once more. After finishing a two-year stint with the club, he left JCT in 2004 and joined Churchill Brothers S.C. He left the club after one year and joined East Bengal in 2005, which was his last professional football club as an active football player. He left East Bengal in 2006. In the 2020–21 season, Vijayan appeared with Gokulam Kerala's futsal team.

International career

I.M. Vijayan made his debut in international football in the year 1992 and played in a number of tournaments such as Nehru Cup, Pre-Olympics, FIFA World Qualifiers, SAFF Championship and SAF Games. Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia formed one of the deadliest forward lines the Indian Football team had ever seen, and helped the team score various vital goals in international tournaments.[14] Vijayan was part of the victorious Indian team in the 1999 South Asian Football Federation Cup and scored one of the fastest international goals in history of sport during the tournament, hitting the net against Bhutan after only 12 seconds.[15] He also finished top scorer in the Afro-Asian Games event held in India in 2003 with four goals. Vijayan formally retired from international football after the Afro-Asian Games of 2003.[3]

Career statistics

International

FIFA Statistics[16]
YearAppsGoals
199222
1993176
199440
199532
199630
199776
199871
19991210
200010
200183
200382
Total7229
List of international goals scored by I. M. Vijayan

Scores and results list India's goal tally first

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1. 9 May 1992 1–0 2–0
2. 2–0
3. 24 January 1993 1–0 1–1
4. 13 June 1993 1–0 3–1 1994 World Cup qualifier
5. 3–1
6. 16 July 1993 1–0 2–0
7. 21 July 1993 1–0 1–0
8. 23 July 1993 1–1 1–1
9. 23 December 1995 1–0 1–0
10. 25 December 1995 1–0 3–0
11. 7 September 1997 1–0 3–0
12. 2–0
13. 11 September 1997 1–0 2–0
14. 2–0
15. 13 September 1997 3–0 5–1
16. 5–1
177 December 1998 1–3 2–3
18.26 September 1999 3–0 5–2
19. 4–0
20. 5–0
21. 4 October 1999 1–1 3–1
22. 20 November 1999 1–0 1–3
23. 24 November 1999 2–1 2–3
24. 28 November 1999 1–0 2–2
25. 4 May 2001 3–2 3–3
26. 20 May 2001 2–0 5–0
27. 26 June 2001 1–2 1–2
28. 18 January 2003 1–0 2–1
29. 24 March 2003 1–0 1–1

Honours

India

1993, 1997, 1999; third place: 2003

Kerala

1992–93 runner-up 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1999–2000

Bengal

1993–94

Kerala Police

1990, 1991

Mohun Bagan

1992, 1993, 1994

JCT Mills

1995, 1995-96

Individual

2003[18] [19]

1992, 1997, 2000[20] [21] [22] [23]

Kalo Harin

A biographical film, titled Kalo Harin and directed by Cherian Joseph, was released in 1998. The title translates as blackbuck and is a reference to Vijayan's popular nickname during his playing days.[30] [31]

Acting career

After retiring from football, Vijayan started his acting career. His debut was through playing the lead role in the film Shantham, directed by Jayaraj. Later on, he went to act more than 20 films, in Malayalam & Tamil. In 2021, the movie 'Mmmmm' (sound of pain), starring Vijayan in the lead role was shortlisted as one of India's official entries for the Oscars.[32]

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Shantham Velayudhan
Akashathile Paravakal Walayar Manikyam
2004 Quotation Vettu Rajan
2005 Ben Johnson
2006 Thimiru Chinna Karuppu Tamil film
Shyaamam
Kisan Football Coach
Mahasamudram Himself
2012 Asuravithu Valarpadam Kurudhu Musthafa
Bachelor Party
2015 Komban Muthukalai Tamil film
2016 Gethu Rajendran Tamil film
2017 The Great Father Anto
Mythili Veendum Varunnu
2018 Mattancherry
Abrahaminte Santhathikal DYSP Muhammed Jalal
2019 Ganesha Meendum Santhipom Katthari Tamil film
Porinju Mariam Jose Kuriyachira George
Bigil Alex Tamil film
2021 Muddy [33]
Mmmmm: Sound of Pain Oscar shortlisted[34]
2022 Siddy [35]
The Teacher Gunashekharan [36]
Anaparambile Worldcup [37]
2024 Idiyan Chandhu [38]

Family

Vijayan is married to Raji.He has 3 children:Aromal, Archana and Abhirami. He has a son in law, Abdul Aadil, and a granddaughter named Adeeva.

Other activities

In 2004, he started a sports equipment company named "Boxer Sports Goods Company (BSGC)" in Thrissur.[39] [40]

After retirement from active football, Vijayan concentrated his attention upon his football School that he had opened in Thrissur.

He was also a member of the now defunct National Congress (Indira).[41] In 2010, Vijayan formally took over a coaching job with Southern Samity, a premier division side in the Calcutta Football League.[42] In March 2017, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, appointed Vijayan as the national observer for football.[43] In October 2018, Vijayan announced that he is starting a film production company called 'Bigdaddy Entertainment' jointly with his friends, which will be mainly revolving around football.[44] [45]

In January 2017, Vijayan officially unveiled the club crest of newly formed I-League club Gokulam.[46] In February 2021, Vijayan was appointed as the director of Kerala Police Football Academy, a new police football academy, which is going to be set up in Malappuram.[47]

On 2 September 2022, Vijayan was elected as a member of the technical committee of the All India Football Federation.[48] [49] [50]

See also

Further reading

Bibliography

Other sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ravindra . Renjith . 13 July 2012 . The legend who sold soda bottles – A Tribute to I.M.Vijayan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144119/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-legend-who-sold-soda-bottles-a-tribute-to-i-m-vijayan-2 . 12 June 2018 . 11 June 2018 . Sportskeeda . 13 July 2012.
  2. Web site: With over Rs 1 cr as prize money for Philips League, local clubs sign up foreign players. 2 February 1998. 1 February 2022. Binoo. K. John. www.indiatoday.in. India Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201101437/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19980202-with-over-rs-1-cr-as-prize-money-for-philips-league-local-clubs-sign-up-foreign-players-825596-1998-02-02. 1 February 2022.
  3. News: A down to earth footballer. 22 November 2003. Sportstar. 16 October 2011. 15 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130915045201/http://www.hindu.com/tss/tss2647/stories/20031122002804700.htm. live.
  4. News: AIFF award 2008. 24 December 2008. Top news.in. 16 October 2011. 9 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120309233756/http://www.topnews.in/bhaichung-bhutia-declared-aiff-player-year-2100937. live.
  5. News: Arjuna award 2003. https://archive.today/20130125040032/http://www.hindu.com/2003/08/03/stories/2003080306181700.htm. dead. 25 January 2013. 3 August 2003. The Hindu. 16 October 2011.
  6. Web site: Actor or footballer or both? IM Vijayan-starrer 'Mmmmm' shortlisted for Oscars - The New Indian Express. 2021-03-09. www.newindianexpress.com. 3 February 2021 . 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710185453/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/feb/27/actor-or-footballer-or-both-im-vijayan-starrer-mmmmm-shortlisted-for-oscars-2269855.amp. live.
  7. News: Deer-Footed Magician. Outlook. 2018-06-18. 18 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180618204039/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/deer-footed-magician/299447. live.
  8. Web site: Season ending transfers 1999. Indianfootball.de. 19 March 2021. 17 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200217030450/http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers1999.html. live.
  9. Web site: Season ending transfers 2000. Indianfootball.de. 19 March 2021. 17 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200217030450/http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers2000.html. dead.
  10. Web site: Vijayan takes AIFF fine in his stride. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. New Delhi. 19 July 2001. 1 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221101051903/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/vijayan-takes-aiff-fine-in-his-stride/articleshow/1932191317.cms. 1 November 2022. live.
  11. Web site: NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF March 2001 — March 3 and 5 — Note: 1. www.indianfootball.de. Indian Football Network. 13 November 2021. 9 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809005046/http://indianfootball.de/news/m200103.html. dead. Arunava. Chaudhuri.
  12. Web site: Vijayan fined, allowed time to appeal. rediff.com. Rediff Mail Sports. New Delhi. 26 March 2001. 1 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221101074841/https://m.rediff.com/sports/2001/mar/26vijayn.htm. 1 November 2022.
  13. https://www.sports-nova.com/2020/05/30/glorytales-of-indian-football-fc-kochin-im-vijayan-and-their-amazing-success-story/ Glorytales of Indian Football: FC Kochin, IM Vijayan and their amazing success story
  14. Web site: Ritabrata . Banerjee . 4 instances when India could have played in FIFA World Cup . 12 March 2015 . sportskeeda.com . Sportskeeda . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131224003/https://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/4-instances-india-could-played-fifa-world-cup . 31 January 2023 .
  15. News: Gone in 13 seconds or less: The fastest international goals. 14 November 2017. ESPN FC. 15 October 2020. 20 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020120315/https://www.espn.com/soccer/india/story/3269663/gone-in-13-seconds-or-less-the-fastest-international-goals. live.
  16. News: Invalappil Mani Vijayan - Goals in International Matches . 9 July 2016 . 4 March 2016 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103633/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html . live .
  17. Web site: Afro-Asian Games 2003. 20 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220928130141/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asafrgam01.html. 28 September 2022. RSSSF. Arunava. Chaudhuri. Karel. Stokkermans. 2001.
  18. Web site: LIST OF ARJUNA AWARD WINNERS - Football Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football. 25 December 2007. 25 December 2007. yas.nic.in. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
  19. Web site: National Award winning Footballers. indianfootball.de. IndianFootball. Arunava. Chaudhuri. 2000. 25 January 2019. 1 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html. dead.
  20. Web site: AIFF PLAYER OF THE YEAR — FROM STARTING . Kolkata Football. 23 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210823101258/https://www.kolkatafootball.com/december_daily_news_2007.html.html. 23 August 2021.
  21. Web site: Jeje Lalpekhlua is 2016 AIFF Player of the Year . AIFF . 24 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161227132308/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7722 . 27 December 2016 . dead .
  22. News: All India Football Federation Awards: Sunil Chhetri and Bala Devi win Player of the Year Trophy . 26 September 2020 . . 14 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926234124/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/all-india-football-federation-awards-sunil-chhetri-and-bala-devi-win-player-of-the-year-trophy-240310-2015-02-14 . 26 September 2020 .
  23. Web site: Marketing Indian Football Abroad . 11 February 2000 . Ramu . Sharma . tribuneindia.com . The Tribune Sports . Chandigarh . 30 April 2008 . 26 January 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050126230953/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000311/spr-trib.htm .
  24. Web site: Nehru Cup 1993 . Bobrowsky . Josef . King . Ian . The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation . 1 January 2006 . 22 June 2018 . 5 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181005151547/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nehru93.html . live .
  25. News: R 6739 . M. R. Praveen Chandran & Praveen Chandran M. . 2022-08-25 . I.M. Vijayan felicitated by Kerala Education Minister . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-09-27 . 0971-751X.
  26. Web site: ലേഖകൻ . മാധ്യമം . 2022-06-22 . ഐ.എം. വിജയൻ ഇനി ഡോ. ഐ.എം. വിജയൻ Madhyamam . 2022-06-23 . www.madhyamam.com . ml . 23 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220623104826/https://www.madhyamam.com/sports/football/im-vijayan-is-now-dr-im-vijayan-1032948 .
  27. Web site: ഐ.എം.വിജയനും 'ഡോക്ടറാ'യി; ചികിത്സ പക്ഷേ, സ്പോർട്സിനു മാത്രം . 2022-06-23 . ManoramaOnline . ml . 24 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220624005149/https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/malappuram/2022/06/23/malappuram-im-vijayan.html .
  28. Web site: Desk . Sports . 2022-06-23 . ഇന്ത്യൻ ഫുട്‌ബോളിന് നൽകിയ 'സുഖചികിത്സ'ക്ക് ആദരം; ഇനി ഡോ. ഐ.എം വിജയൻ . 2023-09-27 . www.mediaoneonline.com . ml.
  29. Web site: All time Indian XI. 23 November 2016. 21 June 2021. 24 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201149/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/greatest-indian-football-xi-of-all-time. sportskeeda.com. Sportskeeda. Amoy. Ghoshal.
  30. Web site: I.M. Vijayan: Up, close and personal with 'Kalo Harin'. The Week. 28 Oct 2020. 31 May 2021. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213959/https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/2020/10/28/im-vijayan-up-close-and-personal-with-kalo-harin.html. live.
  31. Web site: KALO HARIN (1998). British Film Institute. 31 May 2021. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215557/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8493f649. dead.
  32. Web site: 'Soorarai Pottru', IM Vijayan starrer 'Mmmmm' among films in contention for Oscar Awards. 2021-03-09. Mathrubhumi. en. 6 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306224312/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/-soorarai-pottru-im-vijayan-starrer-mmmmm-among-films-in-contention-for-oscar-awards-1.5472500. live.
  33. Web site: Malayalam action thriller Muddy to release on December 10 . 2023-12-09 . The New Indian Express. 16 October 2021 .
  34. Web site: Actor or footballer or both? IM Vijayan-starrer 'Mmmmm' shortlisted for Oscars . 2023-12-10 . The New Indian Express. 28 February 2021 .
  35. Web site: FC . Team . 2022-10-03 . Everything Releasing This Week In Theatres (October 3rd - 9th) . 2023-12-10 . www.filmcompanion.in . en.
  36. Web site: 2022-11-21 . The Teacher trailer: Amala Paul promises a hard-hitting film . 2023-12-10 . The Indian Express . en.
  37. Web site: Antony Varghese's Aanaparambile World Cup gets release date . 2023-12-10 . . en.
  38. Web site: Features . C. E. . 2024-07-17 . Chandhune Tholpikkan Aavoollada song from Idiyan Chandhu out . 2024-07-18 . Cinema Express . en.
  39. Web site: About Us. boxersports.in. 7 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412161813/http://boxersports.in/about_us. 12 April 2015. dead.
  40. News: Vijayan's 'football' ready for launch. https://archive.today/20141217134647/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/14/stories/2004071404991800.htm. dead. 17 December 2014. UNI. The Hindu. 14 July 2004.
  41. News: A new role for Vijayan. https://web.archive.org/web/20060519035743/http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/15/stories/2005071501400200.htm. dead. 19 May 2006. 15 July 2005. The Hindu. 16 October 2011.
  42. News: Vijayan begins coaching career. https://web.archive.org/web/20100722024215/http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/18/stories/2010071855211600.htm. dead. 22 July 2010. 18 July 2010. The Hindu. 16 October 2011.
  43. News: Government designates 12 Olympians as National Observers. 30 March 2017. PTI. The Indian Express. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710185454/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/government-designates-12-olympians-as-national-observers-4577915/. live.
  44. Web site: Footballer-turned-actor IM Vijayan launches production company . . Cinema Express . 7 January 2019 . 7 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190107233131/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/oct/10/footballer-turned-actor-im-vijayan-launches-production-company-8253.html . live .
  45. Web site: IM Vijayan to make his production debut with a football based film . 9 October 2018 . ONLOOKERS MEDIA . 15 October 2020 . 29 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200129025038/http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/im-vijayan-make-production-debut-football-based-film/ . live .
  46. Web site: Rediscovering Football Glory of Kerala Eyeing to make Gokulam FC the first professional club in Kerala. 12 April 2017. 26 January 2022. fwdbusiness.com. FWD Business (March – April 2017 issue). FWD. Media. Kerala. https://web.archive.org/web/20220704065411/https://fwdbusiness.com/2017/04/rediscovering-football-glory%E2%80%8B-of-kerala%E2%80%8B/. 4 July 2022.
  47. Web site: My aim is to scout for budding footballers, make them world-beaters: IM Vijayan. 2021-02-23. The New Indian Express. 12 February 2021 . 12 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210212040353/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/feb/12/my-aim-is-to-scout-for-budding-footballers-make-them-world-beaters-2262837.html. live.
  48. Web site: Former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey appointed new AIFF President. 4 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904100011/https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/former-goalkeeper-kalyan-chaubey-appointed-new-aiff-president. FPJ. Sports Desk. www.freepressjournal.com. The Free Press Journal. 2 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  49. Web site: List of AIFF executive committee members & co-opted eminent players. 2 September 2022. 2 September 2022. 4 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904100030/https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-aiff-executive-committee-members-coopted-eminent-former-players-list. khelnow.com. Khel Now.
  50. News: AIFF Executive Committee appoints Shaji Prabhakaran as new Secretary General. www.the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. AIFF. Media Team. en. 3 September 2022. 4 September 2022. New Delhi. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904095136/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-executive-committee-appoints-shaji-prabhakaran-as-new-secretary-general. 4 September 2022.

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