FAME THROUGH FOOT- How delivery executives used the beautiful game to empower themselves

Bengaluru: This year, Bengaluru's football scene is replete with inspiring stories. FC Agniputhra, the first-time Super Division champions of the Bengaluru District Football Association (BDFA), clinched the title in thrilling fashion, while also retaining the C Puttaiah Memorial Cup. For a brief, yet precious period, the Bangalore Football Stadium became their own. But their success didn’t come easy; it was earned through relentless hard work and perseverance. Among those whose lives have been touched by the beautiful game are wingers Sathish Kumar and Vijay Paul, whose stories have a truly uplifting and inspiring narrative.

Football is Sathish’s home Early morning along Tannery Road, a young man can be seen delivering milk to local homes. Just days earlier, he had traveled from Mumbai for a football trial. But upon arriving back home, he received a call that would change his life: an opportunity to represent India at the Homeless World Cup in the UK. This was Sathish Kumar, a Karnataka Santosh Trophy player, who rose from the slums of Bagalur Layout to play football at the international level. Sathish’s passion for football was sparked as a child, watching an older boy “Anna” dazzle with the ball at a nearby public playground.

Born to a painter and a domestic worker, Sathish faced tremendous challenges, as his parents had strong reservations about his future in football. “Even after playing for India in the UK, there were doubts, given the uncertain income,” he recalls. Today, Sathish balances his life as a delivery executive for a quick commerce company while continuing to chase his football dreams.

He acknowledges the challenges of balancing work and training, but for him, rest is essential. “I train from 10 am to 12 pm, then I deliver until 1 am, and I start my day again at 5:30 am,” he says. Sathish credits football for empowering him to change his family’s life. “Without football, I wouldn’t have been able to get my sisters married or achieve the recognition I have. Now, my eyes are set on the I-League, after winning the Super Division,” he adds with determination.

Vijay Paul’s three-fold commitment pays off: Vijay Paul’s journey from delivering newspapers in the early hours to scoring title-winning goals is nothing short of inspiring. For him, balancing multiple responsibilities is part of the grind to achieve his dreams. Born to parents who worked hard to give him an education, Paul left school at the age of 15, but his passion for football never waned.

“Watching my older brother Antony play football inspired me to take it up,” he recalls. In addition to his newspaper deliveries, Paul worked as a contracted laborer at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), managing to balance all three jobs while staying committed to his football training. “I wake up at 4 am to deliver newspapers, then I report to training by 9 am. After that, I work my second shift at HAL from 2 pm, and my day ends at 11 pm,” he explains.

For Vijay, winning the Super Division was the culmination of years of hard work, and he believes it was all worth it. “The club has given me a new life, and I’m grateful for everything football has provided. Now, I hope to continue here as a coach,” says the 28-year-old, looking ahead to a bright future.