Novy Kapadia BBC Sport Online in Delhi

The Lagos born Nigerian striker, Chima Okorie is a trend-setter in Indian football: his success has led to a steady influx of African players to India.

Chima arrived, as a twenty-one year student in July 1984 to study architecture in Visakhapatnam University, and his football skills were discovered accidentally.

"To pass time in the evenings, I used to play football with some of my friends in the University," said Chima.

"After watching me score several goals, my sports teacher persuaded me to play for the University."

Talent scouts from Mohammedan Sporting Calcutta spotted him and he was recruited for the 1985-86 season.

Chima played two seasons for Mohammedan and impressed with his robust and powerful play.

But he had problems with Indian referees, who were not used to such physical play.

"Often I was penalised for what seemed to me legitimate challenges," he said.

"Players who could not get the ball from me often just fell down to get the sympathy of the referee and the crowds."

English trials

Chima's move to East Bengal in 1987 established him as a legend in Indian football.

Over twelve year period he was top scorer in the Calcutta league a record seven times.

In 1991, Mohun Bagan changed their century old tradition of not recruiting foreigners and made Chima the first player to break the 500,000 rupee barrier.

Chima stayed with Bagan until the 1992/3 season before trying a career in England.

He was linked with Sunderland, Torquay United and Grimsby Town, but a signing eluded him.

Indian academy

After a short spell in Denmark, he returned to Mohun Bagan to continue his record-breaking run of scoring, and immediately helped the club to their first National Football League title.

He kept on playing until 1999 when his career came to an inglorious end after a fracas in a crucial local league match against East Bengal.

Incensed by some controversial decisions, several Bagan players jostled the referee.

Chima was accused of instigating the trouble, was suspended for two years and heavily fined.

However Chima's love affair with Calcutta continues unabated.

Despite retiring from active football, he is still involved in the sport.

His latest challenge is setting up India's first soccer academy to discover and nurture young talent.