Edakkara: In the selection trials conducted by FIFA across various states in India, over 30,000 young players had participated. Out of them, only four players from Kerala were selected, and from Malappuram district, Muhammad Shadhil was the only one to make the cut.

Shadhil, who has secured admission to the All India Football Federation–FIFA Talent Academy, was felicitated by the Soccer Academy and local residents at a function held here. He was also given a formal send-off on the occasion.

The selected players will undergo a one-year training programme under contract at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. The training period may be extended based on their performance.

A student of Class 8 at Marthoma Higher Secondary School, Chungathara, Shadhil has been training with the Soccer Academy, Edakkara, which played a key role in shaping his talent.

The felicitation and send-off function was inaugurated by Karadan Sulaiman and presided over by K C Shahul Hameed, Chairman of the Soccer Academy. C Shemeer Mon, founder and chief coach of the Academy, presented a gift to Shadhil. Santosh Kaprat distributed the jersey sponsored by Saubhagya Silks to the Academy.

K Rasheedali, Abid Parappuram, Shaji Edakkara, Mujeeb Chithramvalli, Madhu Saubhagya, Sulaiman Kattipadi, Gafoor Parappuram, Ashraf Karuhedath and Shafi Kottoor also spoke at the function.