A Footballing lifestyle
Footballer, Athlete from Kerala
Mohammad Shaheer, footballer, returned jubilant from the Gothia Cup tournament held in Gothenburg Sweden from 14-18 July 2024. The Indian team aced the competition playing unbeaten all along and Shaheer netted the maximum number of goals.
Shaheer hails from Malappuram, Kerala, a city located about 160 kms from Kochi and also known to be ‘football-crazy’. His father is a fisherman, mother a home-maker and, he has two siblings, both older than him. The daily toil of his family did little to stop him from aspiring to be Ronaldo. He refreshes each time he enters the football arena, indigenously marked at the sea-shore, where his house is located, a regular practice that he follows since the age of 7yrs. This is a place that lifted his spirits and gives him friends. Outside the ‘arena’ he hesitates to socialize
Sports provided him a respite and then happiness from the dejection he faced at school. Along with Football he plays cricket, volleyball and Handball as well. He studied in a regular govt school where he passed grade 10 through the support of a scribe. He required a special educator’s support all along and faces difficulties in reading and writing. The challenges Shaheer faces are invisible, perhaps because of that, his parents did not consider sending him to a special school as it would bring them shame.
In 2024 he joined SO Bharat, during selections for the Gothia Cup tournament. The event opened doors for new talent and Shaheer was one of them who strived and stamped his quality at the event. Sports was already in his life but, to represent India, wearing the Indian jersey and entering a marked football field with an audience cheering him and the team brought immense joy that went even beyond the Gothia Cup which was a remarkable victory for the team and SO Bharat.
Excited on India’s performance and that of Shaheer, Sister Rani, program Manager, SO Bharat – Kerala said, “The recognition and dignity that Special Olympics brings to the lives of the athletes is extremely significant. Taking the example of Shaheer, he had the skill and passion for football but, all came to the fore through his participation at this prestigious event. His performance and victory have spread to the surrounding villages. His district is planning a grand felicitation ceremony in his honor. All this makes so much of a difference in the lives of the Athletes, their families and the surrounding communities”
