Click to play videoNew Delhi: For 14-year-old Raja, life seems to have come a full circle. Today, he might be one of the most promising players the Kerala sub-junior football team has, but his journey to the top was not without pitfalls.
Raja who hails from Salem in Tamil Nadu was once a part of a highly organised begging racket in Thrissur.
Rescued in 2002, Raja grew up at an orphanage in Cochin. Though, the orphanage admitted him to a regular school, his talents lay somewhere else.
President of Jena Seva Sishu Bhavan, Jos Maveli said, “When we rescued him he was in a very bad condition. He was just eight and was even beaten up with iron rods for not making enough money while begging. At the home we realised that this boy had a rare passion for football and some amazing stamina. So we sent him to Cochin City Football Academy which changed his life.”
And the rest as they say is history. An excited Raja is today spearheading the Kerala attack at the sub-junior tournament in Punjab.
“I saw children playing football and I got interested. I learnt slowly and started playing regularly. I have played for Kottayam for three years,” Raja said.
Raja hasn't got any formal training in football but even his coach Baby Joshi agrees that he has immense potential.
“He is very good and has a lot of potential but he needs more scientific training,” Joshi said.
And with the right kind of training and support, nothing can stop this young champ, for Raja has finally found his goal.
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