Suelkha Kanhar, a 16-year-old girl from Salia Sahi in Bhubaneswar, and Srijal Kisku, a 12-year-old boy from a village in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district, have been granted an opportunity of a lifetime. They have been chosen by coaches from Spain to showcase their football skills in the country. The prospect of traveling to Spain to further develop their football abilities feels like a dream come true for them.
According to their coach, Jayadev Mahapatra, this marks the first instance of players from Odisha being selected by Spanish coaches. He expressed pride on behalf of Odisha and India, highlighting the significance of this achievement. Two coaches with UEFA pro licenses had visited Odisha to scout for football talents, and although they had cautioned against potential disappointment due to specific criteria, they ultimately selected Sulekha and Srijal from Ardor Football Academy.
Mahapatra expressed confidence in their abilities and extended his best wishes for their success during the trials and potential participation in Spain. Sulekha Kanhar, visibly thrilled, mentioned that she had been playing football for two years under the guidance of JD Sir, and she and Srijal were chosen by the Sheila Football Club. She hoped to perform well in the trials and eventually play in the European League.
Srijal, exuding confidence, stated that he began playing football at the age of six and is now 12. His goal is to represent the national team, showcasing his aspirations for future achievements in the sport.
Prasanta Patnaik