New Delhi: Last season’s highest goal-scorer Dipanada Dicka on Saturday accused the I-League organisers of not paying him the promised prize money which is given to the golden boot winner.
The Cameroonian who with 11 goals for Shillong Lajong last season bagged the golden boot trophy said that not receiving the pending dues from the country’s top-division League has “affected” him and “disturbs” his game.
“I got only the trophy but yet to get the prize money. I contacted my former club (Shillong Lajong) but they said I should speak to the All India Football Federation. I told them I was hired by them, they should take up my case,” said a disappointed Dicka as quoted by PTI.
“What will I do with the Trophy? He questioned. “I am a professional footballer, and I’m here to play football for my family. It’s really affecting me. I’m disturbed. What’s the motivation left?”
Currently with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, Dicka this year also leads the goal scoring-charts with already eight goals to his name. But Bagan as a team have had a topsy-turvy season so far and at present lie fourth in the table, with 21 points from 13 games — eight behind leaders Minerva Punjab who have played the same number of matches.
But Dicka hopes there is still a chance for the Mariners to reclaim the trophy. “Definitely we’re there with a chance. We have to get maximum points from our remaining five matches. I think we can do it and reclaim the trophy,” said the striker.
Talking about the delay in payment, Dicka who with 12 goals was also the highest goal-scorer in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) where he donned the black and white for Mohammedan, but has not received any prize money said, “It’s kind of frustrating.”
“I’m planning to take up my case with the AIFF after our match against Gokulam on February 12,” he added.
As per the 2014-15 regulations, a prize money of Rs 50,000 is to be given to the I-League’s highest goal-scorer every season but AIFF secretary Kushal Das denied any such claims and instead referred Dicka to speak to I-League CEO Sunando Dhar.
“I am not involved with the matter. Please speak to I-League CEO Sunando Dhar,” said Das.
Meanwhile Bengal’s parent football body, IFA said that there was no prize money for being the highest goal scorer in the CFL.
“There’s some miscommunication. And as a matter of fact, we are yet to have an awards ceremony,” IFA secretary Utpal Ganguli told PTI.