Sathyan cremated in Kerala

Chennai:

The body of former Indian football captain V P Sathyan was cremated in Kerala on Wednesday in the presence of former team mates I M Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri and athletes P T Usha and Shiny Wilson. The initial shock over the suicide of one of India's best-known football players V P Sathyan has given way to the inevitable question - why did he do it? Police and family sources say it was a debt trap caused by bad habits that brought about the tragic end. The 41-year-old footballer had been drawing a good salary of about 25,000 rupees a month as an Assistant Manager in Indian Bank. But his colleagues and family friends say his inability to cope with life away from the limelight pushed him to drinking and gambling and debts and a rut of self pity. Earlier this month, Sathyan is said to have met senior officials of the Football Federation in Delhi, who even promised to conduct a benefit match for him in Kerala. "There was no need for this. He was leading a nice life. Indian Bank was giving him all help and took care of him very well. We don't know whether he had any other personal problem," said Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, I & B Minister and President of the All India Football Federation. Police officials said it was not a spur of the moment decision, but planned in advance. His last wish, addressed to Indian Bank, was to give his wife a job on compassionate grounds. "All the notes said the same thing. I could not take care of my family properly. Please help them after I go," said Karuna Sagar, DIG, Railway Police. "These notes were written on the 17th. He didn't go home that night. And on the 18th morning he committed suicide," DIG Sagar added. Sathyan was known to be very aggressive on the football field, but by nature he was sensitive. Perhaps it was this quality compounded by a debt trap that pushed him over the edge.