Anwar from Rurka Kalan, a small village near Jalandhar, signs Rs 95-lakh contract with Mohun Bagan.

He still remembers running barefoot in his village, chasing the only football the kids there had at their disposal and kicking it till it went away, far enough to be chased again. Nothing mattered, be it the heat, cold or rain. Life was at its best when Anwar had a football at his feet.

Today, as the boy who started from YFC Rurka Kalan, has become the highest-paid player in Indian club football history, it seems like a just reward for all sacrifices he made. Anwar has been signed up by Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan for a whopping Rs. 95 lakh. He had earlier become the highest paid defender when he had moved from JCT to Dempo two seasons ago.

The contract at Mohun Bagan is initially for the four months left of the current season, which will see him pocket a handsome Rs. 25 lakh. Then, from May 2011, he will be paid Rs. 70 lakh for the next 12 months. This is unknown territory in terms of money for Indian football, where generally strikers have dominated the numbers.

“It feels great that people believe in me. That they like what I can do on the football field,” Anwar says. “But my game is not dictated by money. Neither is the decision of where I play. I was perfectly happy at Dempo. Everyone knows how the Goans love their football, and so it was a great experience.

“But you see, in India, if you haven’t played in Kolkata, then the rest of it doesn’t matter. This is the BIG one. The chance to play for the oldest club and be a part of a legacy. I just hope I can justify it,” Anwar says with the anticipation of playing with one of the biggest clubs in India lighting up his eyes.

Anwar was also part of the Indian side that played in the recently-concluded Asian Cup in Qatar and the experience of playing against Australia and South Korea was memorable for Anwar. “It was fantastic, just an incredible experience. The likes of Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Lucas Neil show you how the world views the game. The facilities, infrastructure, the support that these guys get, all of it is just fascinating. It was also a good opportunity for us to learn more about how we have evolved our game.

“But now I hear reports about a new coach floating around. I really hope they are not true. Wherever the team is today, it is because Bob (coach Bob Houghton) has put in everything in this team. He has made us believe that we can compete at the highest level and that we can do well. Indian football needs him,” adds Anwar