Kannur: For Joyal M Shaji, physical challenges have never come in the way of his passion for football. In the ongoing football tournament at the Police Parade Ground here, the young footballer has thrilled spectators with his skillful play.

A plus-two student at Meenangadi GHSS, Wayanad, Joyal is the driving force behind his team’s attacking moves, operating from the left wing. This marks the fourth time he is representing the district at the school level. Although his team lost to Thiruvananthapuram 3-1, Joyal’s staged an exhilarating performance.

Joyal is the son of M V Shaji, an employee of the Groundwater Department from Valathodu, Edappuzha in Kannur, and V P Sini, a native of Vellarikkundu, Kasargod. The family has been settled in Karappuzha near Meenangadi for the past 13 years. Joyal joined the Meenangadi Panchayat Football Academy at the age of seven, where he learned the basics of the game under Coach C P Binoy. He also received strong encouragement from the academy’s manager, Fouju V Abbas.

Joyal has captained the under-13 district team and represented Wayanad United FC in the junior category of the Kerala Premier League. He even played the role of a footballer in the movie `Anapparambile World Cup.'