Chennai’s Aravind for Homeless WC

The 22-year-old Chennai player has now got an opportunity to represent India at the 2019 Homeless World Cup in Cardiff, Wales from July 27 to August 3. More than 50 countries are taking part in the competition. Slum Soccer India, the national street football partner of the Homeless World Cup in India, selected the team. The aim of the Homeless World Cup is making a difference to the lives of those who had been homelessness.

Noor Basha, coach of Aravind, said the player would prove himself in Cardiff. Aravind dropped out of school and stopped playing football as a result of family circumstances. He started to work as a farm labourer to support his family. While watching other children play football, Aravind rediscovered his passion for the game. Soon he was on the field, kicking the ball around to polish his skills. He got an opportunity to take part in the National Inclusion Cup in 2018, which paved the way for his trip to Cardiff. “My dream now is to unearth talent in my area and help them grow,” Aravind said.