Chennai: P Sundaramoorthi, a football player who has represented Tamilnadu in the junior and Sub-Junior categories has taken a big leap in his professional career, by bagging an opportunity to train with a Spanish sports club.
The resident of Trustpuram at Kodambakkam in the city speaks on his achievement.
“As part of an initiative to provide a solid platform to young talents in India, Football and Professional Soccer Academy in Kilpauk, has associated itself with few Spanish football academies. Following this, La Liga Club A D Alcorcon officials conducted selection trials. As a result, two of us were give opportunity to train at their club for a month starting from 15 August to 15 September,” he said.
“More than 400 young players participated in the selections that were held on 10 and 11 May, and I am glad that I emerged as one among the two to cut through. I am extremely delighted to go to Spain and look forward to the opportunity,” said Sundaramoorthi, who is currently playing for the junior team of the defending champions of the I League, Minerva Punjab.
Hailing from an economically-challenged background, the youngster first started playing football when he was eight years old.
“My father and uncle played the game when they were young but couldn’t continue at a professional level, so they motivated me for the same. I subsequently joined Premier Soccer Academy where Tamilnadu coach R Johnson was the trainer,” he stated.
Sundaramoorthi who practices for nearly six hours everyday, credited his coach for instilling him the confidence to take up the sport professionally.
“He always encouraged and made me believe that I can do it. He is the sole reason to where I stand today,” he pointed out.
Noting that his professional career began when he played sub-junior and junior level State tournaments, he said, “I was rejected many times but I did not give up and finally found a place in Churchill Brothers Juniors squad in 2016. Seeing my performance, Minerva Junior coach gave me an offer to join his team. I have been playing for them for the past two seasons where we emerged as the champions and I bagged the best player award.”
When asked about his aim, he said,”Obviously it is to play for India, but currently I am working on performing well in the one month training session in Spain,” and added,”If I perform well, I might find a place in their junior squad and can play few seasons there.” Contact him at 99419 30689.