From Delhi slums to Liverpool's academy: Mohd Tanjeer's amazing tale

Mohammed Tanjeer trains every morning with the My Angels Academy in a park in Vikaspuri (Delhi) — from 3.30 AM till about 6 AM — because otherwise, the park is off limits for slum children. They will be chased off by the guard with a stick in hand just because the ‘big, rich’ people don’t want them there. That is 16-year-old Tanjeer’s reality despite his very ‘obvious’ football talent. A big striker who scores goals with the kind of talent that makes every scout want him on their team. But now Tanjeer has a chance to forget about playing at such crazy hours — because for the next year, he’ll be training at the Liverpool International Academy after being shortlisted from all over India. [caption id=“attachment_1512561” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Tanjeer during his trial at the Liverpool International Academy.[/caption] A few years ago, Tanjeer’s life was completely different — he was a rag-picker in his area and would ‘get high’ and sit inside one of those large dustbins on the sides of the street, hiding from those who were trying to find him. His habit meant he was nicknamed ‘kudaa’, which means garbage. It was clear that something drastic was needed for him to change his ways. Then his mother put him in the My Angels Academy, where it’s founder Sylvester Peter teaches slum children another way to live — and he does it, in his words, ’through football and love.’ And for Tanjeer, it was the former that really worked. “I used to follow him around on my bike after his friends would tell me that he will be around a particular area to collect money thrown during a marriage procession. He is with me since he was three or four years old,” Peter told Firstpost. Peter takes his academy teams to almost every tournament in Delhi and has won quite a few of them — but his crowning achievement seems to be 16-year-old Tanjeer being picked by Liverpool’s academy (in association with Pune based club DSK Shivajians). Two others from Peter’s academy have also been picked to travel to France and train with FC Metz (he’s working hard to get them passports). However, there is a catch in Tanjeer making the cut at the Liverpool academy — he will have to pay more than Rs 5 lakhs per year (inclusive of taxes). And this is where Paramjeet Ohlan comes into the picture. The Liverpool fan was at the trials held at Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi as a volunteer, and was concerned when the academy officials hinted that Tanjeer will only be eligible for the scholarship places available at the academy because he couldn’t possibly pay the fees if he’s not good enough for one. [caption id=“attachment_1512565” align=“alignleft” width=“287”] Tanjeer preferred position is striker.[/caption] “I told the officials that this was unfair,” Paramjeet told Firstpost. “Only because they know that he can’t pay the fee, they were going to put him through ten times the normal competition there would be for a place at the academy. I saw Tanjeer play, and he was really good at the trials — so I’m looking for ways to raise funds if he gets picked.” (Firstpost spoke to the academy officials and they confirmed that Tanjeer was allowed to compete for all the 64 seats available. He did not get a scholarship but has been picked and will have to pay for training there.) But this will only be for a year. The fee is per year, and if Tanjeer keeps impressing at the academy, further investment will be needed. “At least I will take care of the first year, then we will see. You never know he may end up being a player worth crores!” Paramjeet sounded optimistic, but it’s still early days. Being 16 already, Tanjeer’s realistic target would be to get into an I-League team first, and not think about a career abroad. In fact, he’s afraid of even moving to another city: “I’m very happy,” Tanjeer tells us in English. “But I’m never going to leave the academy,” he added. If Tanjeer eventually does become a footballer, it will be a phenomenal story — and not only one of rags to riches, but also a testament to Peter’s exceptional work for slum children. My Angels Academy is accepting donations to sponsor Tanjeer’s stay at the Liverpool academy. To make a donation, contact Sylvester Peter at sylvestersoccer@gmail.com   Follow the writer on Twitter @TheFalseNo9