By Arka Dyuti Palit

AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Hard work bores fruits. Hardship bores gems. Mohammad Nawaz is one such gem. A person is defined by the situations he or she faces in life. And it was far from hunky and dory for Nawaz. His parents struggled to meet ends but he overcame all challenges to now challenge for a place in the team which shall represent India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India.

“My dad is a driver and mother an Anganwadi teacher. They worked all day long to run our family of six. So they did not support me when I told them about my footballing dreams. But after getting selected to play for India they started believing. India selection changed my life.”

All this is due to the discipline which has been instilled in him right from a very young age. “Discipline is something which we have to always maintain round the clock. It’s even stricter at the camp or academy.”

“At home I can play with my phone almost 24 hours but in camp you can use it only when we are allowed to contact our family. But all this is necessary to keep us from losing our focus.”

“I would love to play for the nation. And given the opportunity I would try my best. But ultimate dream is to play for the Senior National Team.”

“Football means a lot to me and more so because my parents have shown the trust on me and I don’t want to let them down”, signs off the goalkeeper.