Anaai Dsouza led his school, Cathedral and John Connon, Fort to the maiden Division I MSSA Under-16 title with 12 goals in the tournament. The 14-year-old prolific striker had a double whammy after he had been selected for the prestigious AIFF-FIFA Academy in Bhubaneswar.
According to his school coach, Daryl Samuel, "Anaai is very consistent, he is among the 20 students chosen from across the country. He is also the youngest sole player from Maharashtra to earn this spot. We are happy for him but sad also as he played his last match for the school."
The talented footballer is set to receive a fully paid scholarship for 2.5 years and will be part of the Junior Indian football development plan for the Boys FIFA U-17 World Cup Qualifiers.
The talented kid created history for his school by scoring 10 goals in the group stages, including six goals in one game with a double hat-trick against Gokuldham, Goregaon. He followed it up with two goals in the knock-out stages, including the precious first goal in the final. He, however, didn't know how to react after the historical triumph.
He had mixed emotions after the final match. Tears started rolling out of sadness and thrill, also. The thrill for getting selected for the prestigious residential football academy in Orissa. But it was the last game for his school, and he couldn't control his tears as the blood oozed from his pierced knee after a tough final match in hot and humid conditions with Smt. RSB AVM, Juhu at Wings Sports Centre on Monday.
"I am sad as I have to leave my family. My family is very important to me. This was also the last game for my school. But inside, I am elated also as I have earned a big opportunity to be part of the India U-17 team. I will be staying there for over two years, and it is a long time to be away from my family. But I have to manage it," said the Class IX student after the final game on Monday.
Incidentally, playing football was just a weekend affair for the Lionel Messi fan, but he is aware he has to put in hard yards regularly to achieve big things in the game. "I started playing football in my Building in Parel. Then I started representing the school from the U-8 level. Later, I also joined YSA. However, until now, I have mostly played football on weekends only. But I know that I have to train regularly now and I am ready for it," said the talented athlete who also has won laurels in MSSA athletic events.
Anaai had emerged as the top scorer, with an identical 12 goals in six matches, as Maharashtra won the U-14 National School Games football title in Kolhapur in April.
"We are incredibly proud to announce that our U15s trainee, Anaai Dsouza, has been selected for the prestigious AIFF-FIFA Academy in Bhubaneswar, an Elite institution specifically dedicated to Developing & Nurturing the country's top football talents! Anaai's dedication and talent, nurtured by the guidance of our committed YSA coaches, have paved the way for this monumental step. This is a testament to his passion for the game and a moment of immense pride for the entire YSA family," Anaai's Youth Soccer Academy posted on Instagram.
