Soccer fever is reaching a climax in Brazil. But for two young footballers, Tariq and Simarpreet Singh from the city, it might just be the beginning of a journey to recognition. The two boys have been selected to represent India in the Homeless World Cup (for those who come from slums) in Chile in October.

“A World Cup is a World Cup. We are on cloud nine,” the delighted duo exclaimed. They are products of ‘Sports Coaching Foundation’ football camp where Hyderabad Sporting Club chief coach Mohd Saleh trains.

“This is a dream come true and we will try our best to make an impact in this event,” say the soccer duo. Nineteen-year-old Tariq is an engineering graduate from Hussaini Alam and Simarpreet is a commerce graduate from Zaranagar locality of Mehdipatnam. “This is nowhere near the real World Cup soccer but this is a sport that is played with great passion,” the duo says.

“These boys would not have made it to Chile but for the initiative of Kaarmic Education Services’ Dantu Kartik and Adithya Sanjay of Awakening Foundation who spotted talent and started grooming them. I am glad that Tariq and Simarpreet are from the SCF where they have been training under lights,” says a proud K. Sai Baba, general secretary of SCF.

SCF felicitated the duo.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – July 12th, 2014