A Brazilian in Mahi Land

Every morning, 30-odd children gather at a soccer ground to learn skills from a Brazilian whose presence has evoked surprise in Ranchi, home to the Indian cricket captain.

There are many who watch this young footballer who has traveled from the faraway South American nation to train kids in a game that's the most popular across the world.

Some are office goers, some are teachers on way to schools, some are ordinary passer-by and there are some milkmen in the crowd.

For almost half an hour, Marcos does some superb jugglery with the ball and then puts the children through practice.

"Soccer is Brazil, Brazil is soccer. I am here to train so that the kids shape up their skills," he told A.T.P in an interview.

But why India?

Because the world's second most populous nation has not won a worthwhile soccer trophy since 1974 when it jointly with Iran won the Asian Youth Championships.

Marcos, 22, who once kicked his drug habits when he was 17 years old, is being pushed into such global training camps by Fabio Rafael, a footballer mentor in Brazil who works on such assignments.

The kids are loving every moment of it. "He is brilliant, the ball remains glued to his leg, his body," says Akash, 12, who has been attending the camp for more than a month.

Today, Akash has learnt to bend free kicks like Brazilian players and scoring regular goals in local matches.

Deepak, another youngster, says the Brazilian has helped him home his dribbling skills.

Has Marcos watched cricket, a game that is religion in India?

"I have, I know I am in the home of the Indian cricket captain. I like his batting, and his team, the Chennai Super Kings," laughs Marcos.

What he has not learnt is the game. Just two battling it out against 11, that is a bit unfair for Marcos and his 11 vs 11 game.

Image Courtesy: Balram Bhagat