Pritam Kotal extends his help to the struggling local children


Pritam Kotal extends his help to the struggling local children

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Pritam Kotal, the Blue Samaritan born in Uttarpara, West Bengal. Kotal began playing football at the age of four after being inspired by his uncle, who was also a footballer.

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Kotal gladly wears the Tricolor on his heart. The 26-year-old safeguard who has seen battles like lacking resources wishes ‘nobody faces the difficulty’ as he did.

“I faced hardship during my childhood. I wish no one faces the same. That’s the reason behind my tiny efforts to lend a hand towards them who needs an extra bit of push. We were fortunate enough to get support from our seniors. If we don’t give it back to them who need it, then honestly, we don’t deserve to be here where we are today.” –Kotal said emotionally in a live session with AIFF TV.

He persevered through the battle and it helped him manufacture himself hinder by square to any place he’s today. The 26-year old rescinded how his folks battled during his adolescence to make a decent living. He wasn’t short of words to thank his folks who have bolstered him all through for him to achieve what he has achieved to this day.

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“I didn’t have boots, jerseys, balls. I had to look for others’ help. But my parents used to bear the brunt and safeguard me always. It’s like everything in football – and life. You need to look, you need to think, you need to move, you need to find space, you need to help others. It’s very simple in the end.” – the 26-year old said.

“Owing to my schedule and different commitments, I can hardly stay at my home. But whoever feels hungry, needs help, doesn’t think twice to come to our home. My mom finds solace in feeding them. It’s like our collective effort to giving back to society. Our door stays open for 24 hours for anyone and everyone.” – he added.

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Pritam has played 36 games for the Indian National Football team, has thought of a Football Academy, alongside a couple of other current players. He fears lack of healthy sustenance may mark our group of people yet to come, and that is the essential explanation behind him worrying on the significance of nutritious food other than legitimate preparation and coaching.

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“I have seen boys not getting proper food pre, and post-training. Even after training, they take meagre rations which are not enough for a budding footballer. It is going to be our loss, Indian Football’s loss. Proper food besides training is the need of the hour for them. One day, when they mature enough, they’ll handhold their juniors. This is a cyclic process to run the show seamlessly.” – the Indian defender said.

In the interim, he expounded that his recreation center additionally remains open for them whoever needs to break an additional perspiration to remain fitter. Indeed, even Kotal’s folks don’t reconsider before giving them access to utilize it in any event, an obligation of trust embodied consummately.

“During the lockdown, I could realise the utility of my personal gymnasium. But, probably it’s the first instance when I used it for so many days at a stretch. Generally, the local boys who can’t afford to pay the fees of a professional gym don’t hesitate to use mine. It’s not just mine, it’s for everyone.”

“It hardly matters whether I’m around or not. They come and use it. Since my U-19 days in Goa, I craved to have my own gymnasium. I feel I need to share it with them who also needs it big time.” – he concluded.

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