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Vol. XXV No. 12, October 1-15, 2015

From the slums – to representing India

This is the story of two boys who are now heroes in their neighbourhood, heroes created by the beautiful game of football.

vignesh-parthiban

Vignesh and Parthiban.

Vignesh and Parthiban live in colonies in Mylapore we may not have passed through. Like many teens, the duo are passionate football players.
Now, the two will be travelling with an India team to take part in the ‘Homeless World Cup’ in Amsterdam.
Vignesh, 19, lives in Nochik­kuppam. His father is a fisherman. The family lost their home to the tsunami in 2004. Eleven years on, the family is still living in a ‘temporary’ tin shelter. They are still awaiting the orders that will give them a new house close to the Lighthouse on the Marina.
Despite the poor living conditions and trying life, it is football that pumps Vignesh. He plays the game with his friends on the beach.
When he was studying in Std. VIII at San Thomé Higher Secondary School, he was scouted by Slum Soccer – an NGO working actively to promote the sport among underprivileged kids. He has been training with the NGO’s team since. Now, he is part of the Indian soccer team.
You can appreciate the pride in his voice when you chat with the teen. I am the first in this kuppam to achieve something like this. I was a nobody before and now I am famous.”
Football apart, he is attending an ITI diploma course to become an air-conditioning mechanic. In his spare time, he also coaches the younger children in the kuppam. “There are many talented children here. I want to help them,” he says.
The other footballer who will represent India is Parthiban of Pallakkuma Nagar, a colony in the Luz area.
A little older than Vignesh, he is, at 21, a recent entry into Slum Soccer. His mother, Kannagi, is a maid and his ­father is no more. He has two sisters.
“I work at Sarvesh Pharmacy in Mylapore. My life before Slum Soccer was pretty routine. I used to play for fun… I never dreamt that I would have a future as a football player. I am thrilled,” he says.
“Everyone is very supportive of me,” he adds. The pharmacy owner allows him time off to play in matches. And the youth in his area now treat him like a hero.
What are his future plans?
“I want to work full time with Slum Soccer. There are many children in my neighborhood who can play well. I want to teach them.”
Slum Soccer has definitely helped him. “We learnt discipline, and how to work as a team,” he says – (Courtesy: Mylapore Times).

Bama Ranganathan

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