IM Vijayan promoted as Assistant Commandant of Kerala Police

Legendary Indian footballer Inivalappil Mani (IM) Vijayan has been promoted to the post of Assistant Commandant in the Malabar Special Police (MSP). The former striker shared the news on social media platform Twitter along with a few images of the ceremony. He was previously serving as an Armed Police Inspector in the MSP. The promotion is an acknowledgement of his service for the state of Kerala and the country through football.

https://twitter.com/IMVijayan1/status/1363085180064256003

The 51-year-old is best known for his lethal strike partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia when the two used to play together for India. In a career spanning a little more than 15 years, Vijayan played for many of the big clubs in India including the likes of JCT, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers. His exploits on the pitch saw him crowned as the Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999, before being awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003.

Since his retirement in 2006. Vijayan has maintained an active interest in football and even tried his hand at coaching with a stint at Southern Samity, a premier division side in Kolkata. He has since been appointed as the national observer for football by the government and will continue his love affair with the game in his new role with Kerala Police as the director of the Kerala Police Football Academy.