Assam to Germany
While most of the people in Harisinga town of Assam’s Udalguri district are grappling with acute poverty and learning to survive in rigid conditions, nine-year-old Chandan Boro has given a big ray of hope for them. Chandan, son of a sweeper, has been selected to the residential football camp of German Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim.
Against the odds
He got selected at Kokrajhar Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in June by the Tata Trust, Mumbai under the Football Development Program in partnership with U Sports, Mumbai, and Germany under U Dream Football for selection of budding Under 15 football talents. In a few weeks, he will be travelling to Bitburg in Germany to pursue his dream and passion. The news of Chandan’s feat has given a lot of hope to the people of his village, particularly his father who sweeps a marketplace, his mother who works as a helping hand in a local tea stall. The impoverished family lives in a small shabby hut beside the Harisinga Railway station. Chandan who is a die-hard fan of North East United FC got his training from Harisinga Football Coaching Centre (HFCC). He is a boy wonder with the ball. He is believed to be swift, agile and has some sensational dribbling skills. Chandan’s achievement has instilled a great inspiration upon the youth from his area. He has also been able to inspire girls to take up the game of football.
The Logical Indian wishes Chandan all the best for his future. We are hopeful and confident that Chandan’s story will inspire a new wave of football fever in India and perhaps he will help India is improving its global rankings in Football.