Kollam: Around seven years ago, a young boy named R Manikandan along with his young sister was found near the Oachira temple by the Child Protection authorities in Kollam wandering homeless here and there, begging for alms as well as sleeping on the premises of the temple.
As per the sources, the siblings were deserted by their parents to the Government Children’s Home in Kollam.
Meanwhile, the Manikandan’s caretaker came to know about his passion for football and thus they encourage him to play.
After that, he decided to join Football Plus Professional Soccer Academy in Chennai and took his game to another level while playing for under-15 I-league.
Since then, the 14-year old teenager never looked back and further he realized that he can make a good career in football.
The supervisor of the children’s home, R Sreekumar described the teenager as “very reserved.”
Further, appreciating the 6-foot lanky footballer he said, “Manikandan dribbles the ball with the dexterity of a rubber doll and defends the opponent ferociously.”
Moreover, impressed by his performances the foreign coaches at the I-league camp suggested him for a one-month training stint at Santiago Bernabeu…
According to the sources, the teenager is all set to fly to Spain for his month-long trip to Madrid in July in order to receive a one-month training call-up from the La Liga holders Real Madrid and UEFA Champions League.
Manikandan, a 14 year old boy who used to beg near a temple in Kollam, Kerala was rescued by Child Protection Service and after being spotted during an I-League Junior Camp, he is now on his way to Real Madrid for a month long training camp@realmadrid @ILeagueOfficial #Indifoot pic.twitter.com/2EtXL7I1pE
— indifoot (@indifoot) January 2, 2018
His coach MP Abhilash said, “I spotted him in last February. In just one year, he has improved brilliantly and I feel if he’s groomed well he will be an asset to the country.”
Excited over pursuing his passion, Manikandan said, “Football is a passion for me. I owe everything to my coach and supervisor of the children’s home. They encouraged me well and stood by my side.”
Taking full advantage of the opportunity, the Lionel Messi fan is all set to make his country proud.
