Sanju Samson comes forward to help budding Kerala footballer

Kerala batter Sanju Samson has extended a helping hand to Adarsh, a budding footballer from the state, by sponsoring his flight tickets after the latter was selected for a month-long training program with Spanish fifth division CD A Virgen del Camino.

Adarsh, who hails from Kuttamperoor in Mannar, had sought help from Saji Cherain, Chengannur MLA, and Minister of Fisheries, Culture, and Youth Affairs, to raise funds for his trip, an Onmanorama report suggests.

Karakkode Leo Club raised INR 50,000 for Adarsh, a degree student of Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, whereas the remaining amount was provided by the minister, who shared the same in a Facebook post on Friday.

“It was a week ago that a young man named Adarsh, a resident of Mannar Kuttampoor, came to see me,” Cherin wrote in his Facebook post. “A graduate student of Thiruvalla Marthoma College, he is a brilliant football player. Adarsh ​​has got a big opportunity, but he was worried that he will lose that opportunity because of financial problems.”

“Adarsh ​​had the opportunity to train for a month at Deportivo La Vergne del Camino, a third division league in Spain. About five matches can be played in this period. There is a possibility of getting a contract if the club or other clubs give preference to the performance.”

“This is a dream opportunity for our native football player to get the chance to play in league matches in a country which is the most important country in football like Spain. But we have to find ourselves the necessary cost for this. It was a crisis,” he added.

“Our beloved star Sanju Samson has sponsored Adarsh’s flight ticket. The well-wishers of the country and studied in their school, they have done whatever they can to help. Further, the possibilities of the sports department to pay the required amount were examined, but before that, there were technical problems as Adarsh ​​had to leave immediately.”

“In this situation, Rs 50000 collected by Karakkad Leo Club was handed over to Adarsh ​​today. The remaining amount was handed over to Adarsh. Adarsh ​​will travel to Madrid the day after tomorrow. He is a big fan of ideal left-wing forward Cristiano Ronaldo. I am sure that tomorrow Adarsh ​​will be our proud star. I wish this opportunity would pave the way for him,” he said ahead.

Meanwhile, Samson, who is currently leading Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Trophy, has not been named in India’s squad for the upcoming home three-T20Is series against New Zealand, despite being in fine form of late.