Sharath, a keeper who defies all odds

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Fourteen years ago, he was crippled and was walking with the help of steel rods. He was not even able to hold the ball in his own due to a bend in his bone.

It is only K. Sharath’s sheer hard work and determination that made him the goalkeeper of the I-league team Viva Kerala (now rechristened as Chirag United Kerala).

Until he had undergone a surgery at the age of 10 to correct the bend in the bones of his legs and hands, playing football was only a dream for him.

However, within a year after the surgery, he started his football career at Universal Soccer School.

“Football is in my blood. My relatives and grandfather were part of professional clubs in Malabar. I grew watching football and listening to football-related talks in my family circles. But my physical condition never allowed me to play the sport,” he said.

This is Sharath’s third year with Chirag Kerala. Sharath was also selected as the best player in Tamil Nadu when he played for State Bank of India in Chennai.

“I played for SBI for three years. After SBI I joined Viva Kerala,” he said. Sharath has also played for the State team at the Santosh Trophy tournament.

Though he has improved a lot recently, he is still worried about the disability he had 14 years ago.

“Though, after operation I was able to walk properly, I had to undergo a lot of training to reach the standards required for professional football. At first, during training the difference was very overt. But thanks to the training given by Olympian Rahman Sir and Universal Soccer School, I picked up later on,” he said.

Deepak C.M., who has trained Sharath, says that the determination shown by Sharath is commendable.

“With hard work he overcame his difficulties and has improved a lot,” said Deepak.

Sharath considers his meeting with India goalkeeper Subrata Pal as the greatest moment of his life. “He was my counterpart in a match against Pune FC and when I met him, he was very friendly,” he said.

Sharath has never stopped in pursuing his interests. He has also played for the district basketball team.