Panjim:
Speaking for the first time after the diplomatic row between India and Nigeria, international Nigerian football player Ogba Kalu says he feels unsafe to go to north Goa and feared for his safety there. "I feel scared as I am a black and anything could happen in Calangute in north Goa," Mr Kalu told NDTV.
Hurt by the racist comments against Nigerians as arts and culture minister Dayanand Mandrekar had said Nigerians were like a cancer and later apologised, Mr Kalu recounted his own experiences in his six year stay in the tourist state where he has represented various clubs such as Churchill Brothers, Dempo and his current team the Sporting Clube De Goa. "After playing football, several times I was tired and wanted to relax. So I drove down to clubs in Calangute. But I was refused entry because I was a Nigerian, because I was a black. I never returned and now just go for home parties."
He, however, emphasized that his experience in India was largely positive. "90% of Indians are not racist, just as not all blacks are bad or involved in drugs," Mr Kalu explained, adding he had no problems with the Goa government deporting Nigerians who did not have valid documents. "These are rules every country follows. Those who are staying illegally should be deported. But that also doesn't mean all Nigerians are involved in the drug trade."
After the murder of a Nigerian national, the community had protested violently on the national highway in Porvorim, blocking the road, destroying public property and roughing up policemen. "It's was an emotional outburst. We are humans too. Though I don't know any of the protestors, one of their colleagues had been murdered. So it was justified as they were fighting for their rights," Mr Kalu explained.
The row began after a Nigerian diplomat threatened a senior police officer, texting her that if the "illegal" deportation did not stop, Indians in Nigerians would be "thrown out on the street."
"Sometimes when somebody is hurt, you use words you should not. It was in the moment. But you can't overlook things. If the Goa government solves the problem then it won't affect Indians in Nigerians and the issue won't prolong in Nigeria," he said.