E. Pavithra, a 16-year-old from Kerala’s Palakkad district, has scored many goals over the three years she’s been playing soccer. But playing a match wearing a jersey and new sports shoes is a different ball game altogether. The talented youngster, in Mumbai to participate in the second edition of the National Inclusion Cup, is understandably excited.
The unique tournament is being organised by Slum Soccer, a non-profit organisation, with the aim of giving sporting exposure to underprivileged kids. The event, which kicked off in the western suburb of Andheri on Tuesday, features 50 teams and 500 players from India and Nepal. Ms. Pavithra is one of the eight players who make up the all-girls Kerala team.
“We are poor but my parents have always supported my passion for football,” says Ms. Pavithra, who dreams of becoming a professional player one day. Her father, a waiter at a small hotel, does everything he can to ensure that she never misses her football classes.
The players lap up both motivation and skill from their coach, Arun Veluswamy, who has been with Slum Soccer for four years. “My passion for football compelled me to leave my job as an HR manager,” Mr. Veluswamy says, adding, “Slum Soccer sponsors all the equipment that the participants need for the tournament, as their parents cannot afford it.”
One of the players Ms. Pavithra would encounter on the field is 22-year-old V. Sarika, who plays for the Telangana team. Ms. Sarika lost her father when she was 15, and has been doing a part-time job ever since, to supplement what her mother earns as a nurse.
“I take tuitions to support my family,” says Ms. Sarika, who hails from Nalgonda district. Her dream is to represent India as a football player and get a job in the railways.
