Titus hopes to get big break

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Young Titus James has completed the first half of his journey in pursuit of his dream to play professional football in Europe. 

The former La Salle Brickfields pupil started at the tender age of 12 against his father's wishes to attend a football school in Normandy, France, all by himself. 

He turns 16 on Aug 13 and is ready to take another major step forward to break into the market. 

Titus is back home for a two-month break before he attends trials with several clubs in Europe. He hopes to get the big break when he returns to Paris where he stays with his foster parents, who have been taking care of him ever since he set foot in France four years ago. 

“I still can't believe how I chose a career of football and decided to leave behind my loved ones at the age of 12,” said Titus. 

“That was the turning point when I had to make a stand for myself whether to pursue a football career or to return home to be with my family, who loves me a lot.” 

His father, James Palani, who had accompanied his son for the trials in his bid to gain apprenticeship with French club Le Havre in April 1999, was in tears and had hoped that his son would decline the offer and return home with him. But Titus made up his mind to play football. 

He passed the trials with flying colours, making him the only Asian to have earned a place at the renowned Le Havre Football School. In the ball juggling competition, which was part of the trials, Titus emerged as the champion, keeping the ball in the air 1,524 times. 

“I had hoped that he would say no because I have never been separated from my son,” said James. 

“I hoped he would still change his mind and told him to think it over until morning and prayed the whole night and hoped that Titus would decide to return home with me. But to my surprise he was adamant and wanted to stay on.” 

Titus said that he had no regrets but was glad to prove tohis father that he had made the right decision to pursue a serious career in football and that he meant business and was prepared to change his lifestyle in his new found home in France. 

“It still hurts me to have disappointed my father but I don't blame him for trying to coax me to reverse my decision,” said Titus. 

“I was not the type of person who could stand on my own two feet before I went to France. I was pampered and depended a lot on my parents' support and guidance when I was a small boy and even at school. 

“In fact, I did not even know how to take a public transport to my primary school in Brickfields and even to attend my football training sessions for my First Touch Programme at the FA of Malaysia (FAM) training ground in Kelana Jaya. It was my father who took me everywhere. 

“Now I have travelled quite a bit In Europe on my own. I even cook when my foster parents are away for a few days. There are chores to do at home and I also have to do homework. I have learnt to be self-independent. 

“The friends I have been with are great guys. We help one another in our endeavour to come up in life. It is a struggle but I am confident of making it.” 

His priority in France is the daily football training. He spends three hours in training daily and returns home exhausted but has to continue with his schoolwork and chores at home. 

Every Sunday is match day for the club and Titus plays in an attacking role with the present Under-18 club, who are currently placed fifth in the 18-team league. 

The Titus story came about thanks to talent scout Francis Herbert, the man responsible for spotting the 10-year-old then, at the Coca-Cola nine-a-side curtain raiser match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, the venue for the 1998 World Cup final in France. 

Titus scored a hat-trick coming in as a substitute for Asia in a friendly match against Europe. The Asian side lost 3-4. 

“I am excited but there is still a lot of work to be done. I have learnt a lot during my stay in France. I still need at least three to four years of playing experience to really polish up my skills,'' said Titus, who is also popularly known for his ball-juggling skills and has his name even in the Malaysian Book of Records for keeping the ball In the air for 5,680 times in one hour 14 minutes in 1999. 

Titus spent two years in Quevilly Sportive Union, sister club of French First Division's Le Havre in Rowann, Normandy, before moving with his foster parents to his present Under-18 football club, Villenoy FC in Meaux, Paris. 

Back home, Titus now trains with his uncle, Michael Palani, who is coach of the FAM Cup side MK Land. He wants to be in good shape before the pre-season trials in September.