Khushbu Darjada won a silver medal in the women’s judo 63kg category at the Youth Olympics in Senegal. Former India goalkeeper Juje Siddi said, “The feat will motivate so many others from the community to take to sport and win laurels.” This marks the first Olympic medal for the Siddi community.
Ex-India goalkeeper Juje Siddi (on the left) and Khushbu Darjada (right) are both Siddis, descendants of East Africans
PANAJI: Now based in London, former India goalkeeper Juje Siddi has not been following all that’s happening in Indian sports, but Khushbu Darjada’s silver medal at the Youth Olympics didn’t escape his attention. Darjada took silver in the women’s judo 63kg category in Senegal, the first Olympic medal won by any member of the Siddi community. “This is good news for everyone, particularly the community,” said Juje, the first from the Siddi tribe to represent the country and win gold at the SAFF Championship in 1997. “The feat will motivate so many others from the community to take to sport and win laurels.” Ever since his move to Salgaocar SC in 1994, Juje has stood out for his distinctive look and ‘African’ features. The goalkeeper belongs to the marginalised Siddi community, descendants of East Africans who were brought to India more than five centuries ago. The Siddis have lived in relative seclusion, most on the margins of poverty. “In the 90s, we had good support (from the govt) but now that’s no longer the case. There is private coaching being conducted but coaches are not serious enough. You must prioritise the interest of the community. If the govt steps in, there’s plenty to gain. Siddis are genetically built strong, have great physique and very good in sports,” said the Karwar-born Juje. In 1987, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), spearheaded by the then Union minister of sports Margaret Alva, set up a sports scheme to scout and train members of the community. The Siddi people had athletic abilities, and Juje was among those scouted as part of the Special Area Games (SAG) scheme. He was scouted as an athlete, but when he moved to Bengaluru for schooling, his goalkeeping abilities got noticed. He did well and made it to the India U-16 camp. His selection to the India U-19 team convinced him that he was on the right track.
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Soon, he was spotted by coach Norbert Gonsalves during a camp in Patiala for Salgaocar. “We were lucky to be part of the SAG scheme. They suddenly stopped the project,” said the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper enjoyed a memorable career with Salgaocar, winning every major trophy in Indian football, including the National Football League in 1999. After his retirement, he took to coaching. Juje had to move to the UK in 2019. Now, at 53, he wants to return and give back to the community that shaped him.