THOSE who have been following Fiji football for quite some time would have at some point heard of the great Chandra Dip Sharma. One of the greatest pioneers of football in Fiji.
He, however, was not a player, but a manager, vice-president and president of well established football institutes in Fiji.
Football fans who have been involved and followed Fiji Football since the 1990s will remember him as ‘Bapa’, the Hindi term for ‘father’.
For this was truly what he meant to the many players of that era.
The Fiji Times recorded a special piece on Sharma on November 4, 1976, when he was preparing to lead Fiji for the South Pacific Games which was scheduled to be held here in Suva.
“My ambition is to manage the team to victory in the South Pacific Games next year and to get my country the gold medal,” he said.
He was 49 years old at the time and was perhaps the most successful manager Fiji soccer had for a long time.
The humble and hefty role model explained why the players would always refer to him as ‘Baba’ and how he became involved in soccer – a sport in which he had spent thousands of dollars.
His story goes back to 1941, when the Tailevu-Naitasiri Football Association was formed.
He did not take any real active part at the time, and it wasn’t until 1958 that his interest in soccer received a boost.
This was the year Tailevu-Naitasiri defeated Suva in the Southern Zone tournament and held Nadi for two hours in the Inter-district, before the game slipped through their fingers during extra-time.
But like every other man, Sharma had to work hard to better his living. He could not afford to devote his time to soccer and pursue his burning interest in the finance world.
As he gradually moved up the ladder into the financial side of work, his hopes of furthering his interest in soccer also increased.
Before all this, he worked as a taxi operator where he diligently faced the struggles of life to better his living.
Finally, after years of sacrifice and perseverance, he became the managing director of American Investments and Viti Timber Mill.
He was able to become deeply involved with the Tailevu-Natasiri Association and in 1972 he was elected as manager of the Tailevu-Naitasiri team.
He again held the position until 1974 where he was promoted to president of the association, and had held this position for quite some time.
He even moved up into the national arena, after he was elected vice-president of the Fiji Football Association.
The results and growth shown in the Tailevu-Naitasiri side spoke of Sharma’s success and dedication to Fiji soccer.
He managed the Naitasiri side which was promoted to the A Division in 1973 and was president of the side the year after when it almost snatched a historic win in the Inter-District Soccer Tournament against Nadi.
With Sharma as manager in 1976, the Fiji national side made history when they drew with the World Cup Taiwan side and went on to defeat the Australian World Cup side.
That year (1976) he was set to leave with the national squad to play in the World Youth Soccer Tournament.
When quizzed on why players called him ‘Bapa’, he had said it was because he respected the players and they also respected him.
“Also, as the Fiji team manager, I do my best to watch over the players just like a father – and that’s the way the players feel towards me, or so I’ve been told.”
Star Fiji linkman John Monday said he called him ‘Bapa’ because of the manner in which he treated his players.
“If we do something wrong he will tell us players right there and then. But he will also give credit where it is deserved. Just like how any father would do so towards his son,” Monday said.
Monday, who had represented Lautoka, Suva and Tailevu-Naitasiri, said Sharma was the best manager they had ever crossed paths with.
When asked what was one of his best moments in his soccer career, Sharma’s response was the defeat of the world renowned Australian team.
“When we defeated Australia, (Socceroos) in 1988, some of our key players were able to achieve this great feat.”
He said his ambition at the time was to see Fiji win the gold medal at the South Pacific Games.
“It does not matter whether I am elected manger or not, I will still be there to help my country win the gold.”
For Sharma, his secret to success with the Fiji team was to maintain a good and healthy relationship with the players on and off the field. And this, they certainly had.
“It’s really simple; I maintain a good relationship with the players and officials and keep everyone happy. If you can get that bond with your player, anything can be achieved.”
He said some of his disappointments that year was when some of their key players did not turn up for the game. Sharma had spent thousands of dollars from his own pocket on soccer but refused to give the exact amount.
Sharma was married to Raj Moti and they had eight children together, two boys and six daughters.
