Mangaluru, Jul 14: In spite of his physical disabilities, Mohammed Fardeen, a Class 9 student of St Agnes Special School, Bendore, Mangaluru, has a emerged as a successful footballer and secured a place in the Indian Football team for the international Special Olympics to be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2.
But, thanks to the lack of timely support from the government, the parents and teachers of this 15-year-old talent are finding it difficult to send him to Los Angeles as the trip would cost at least Rs 2 lakh.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the parents and teachers of Mr Fardeen urged the philanthropists to extend a helping hand to materialise the dreams of this budding footballer. “He is the only player from Karnataka representing India in football game. But arranging a huge amount of money in a short span of time seems very difficult for the parents and school management and if we failed to arrange the money within a few days, we will miss the opportunity to send him to Los Angeles,” Shruthi, Principal, St Agnes Special School said.
She said St Agnes Special School for the differently abled is one of the premier institutions which has brought the light and hope in the life of thousands of children with special needs. The school has a history of four decades and has helped a number of students to excel in the national as well as international level.
"Though Mr Fardeen represents the national squad for the Special Olympics, a major portion of the money has to be personally afforded. The government will provide the flight charge only after returning from Olympics as the technical procedure would take its own time," she said.
The institution has a remarkable record in bring out best athletes for the Special Olympics and could send six students so far for the International Special Olympics. Hasan Asif represented India in Dublin, Dhanraj in Shanghai, Anil and Royston in Athens and Danon and Thazman in New Castle, she said.
“All of them received support from the donors to realise their dreams. The school wish to get such support in this juncture also to materialise the dreams of Mr Fardeen,” she said.
Narayan, Physical Director, St Agnes Special School, Mr Fardeen and his parents were present in the press conference.
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