First player to get a place in national league from Assam, In a country where cricket dominates, football has staged a mini coup. There is a yawning gap between what the demi-god cricketers earn and what the football players get for sweating it out in the fields.
Though cricket is almost like opium for the masses, but soccer is also gradually gaining popularity in India.
Seventeen-year-old Moneshwar Boro who stays at Narengi in Guwahati had dreams in his eyes and prayers on his lips – to make it big in the world of football. His prayers have been answered and today he is the only player from Assam to find a spot in Bluestar FC, New Delhi for a national league which is likely to take place in the month of September.
Boro is a daily wage labourer who puts up hoardings and signboards to help his family in keeping the home fires burning.
Born in a poor family, Boro always had this fire in his belly to learn football and carve a niche for himself. Poverty did not deter him for attending football sessions at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.
he said “I am happy that my hard work has paid off and I have got the chance to play in the national league. The constant support of my coach Hem Das during my football sessions in Nehru Stadium has helped me grab the opportunity to play for Bluestar FC.”
“I get time to practice only in the morning hours because after that I need to go out and earn to support my family as well as earn to pay for my football coaching,” Boro remarked.
Moneshwar Boro wants Assam Government to give top priority to soccer
