From streets to Madrid, on a fund crunch dribble

Kollam: R. Manikantan, 14, an inmate of the children’s home at Mundakkal here and a ninth standard student of SN Trust school, is a promising footballer.  His skills were noted by ‘Real Madrid’ and he will attend 28 days’ professional training session with its stars in Madrid in Spain in July.

But he has not yet received any financial aid from the government.  “When the story of Manikantan, who was  rescued by the child protection unit from beggary,  came out in the  media, many  people  expressed willingness to help him and the government directed us to start an account to receive the aid,” Mr K. Sreekumar, children’s home superintendent,  told DC.

Manikantan,  an abandoned child, was  rescued by the child protection unit while he was  begging at the Oachira kali festival in 2010. He was taken to the children’s  home where he could  play in a nearby college ground with the help of children’s home superintendent.

The children’s home in association with a football club ‘Black Pearl’ organised a training camp at Fatima Mata National College ground where he got a  trainer and mentor M.P. Abhilash. Abhilash took him to Chennai to attend the Under– 16 league football trials where  Manikantan got a surprise call from Real Madrid.

“Manikantan  recently attended the Under- 16 league in Chennai. He is currently  practising  in Kollam under the soccer academy for youth. We have high expectations about  his trip to Marid,” his coach  told DC.

Manikantan  has to rely on the contribution from the public for realising his dream.

A joint account in the name of the district child protection officer and children’s home superintendent has been opened for securing him aid.