Kozhikode: The call from Indian Super League (ISL) team NorthEast United was a surprise for the young Vysakh S R from Perambra in Kozhikode district.
But not for those who have seen the footballer 'flying' on the ground on his crutches with one leg. Losing a leg in an accident did not stop the 24-year-old from pursuing his dreams.
Vysakh, fondly known as Vysakh Perambra, is regular at the local tournaments and he visits his native place frequently to play on leave from his work place in Idukki. The youngster works as a homeopathic pharmacist on daily wages.
Pictures of Vysakh playing football, representing Malabar United FC at the Vattukulam tournament in Kallanode near Perambra, went viral on Twitter after it was tweeted by one Vivek Poduval under the caption – 'More than a Game'.
The tweet was noticed by NorthEast United head coach Eelco Schattorie, who invited Vysakh for a day to be part of his team as guest.
The NE United team contacted Vysakh and asked him to be ready to fly to Guwahati to be their guest when they take on defending champions Chennaiyin FC in the ISL match at Guwahati on Saturday. Vysakh can also participate in their training sessions followed by the match, the officials said.
This is not the first major invitation for this talented youth. Last month, he was invited to play at Busaiteen ground in Manama, Bahrain, as a guest player of Yuva Kerala Club.
Accident and the 'rebirth'
Vysakh, who was a pillion rider, met with an accident when the bike he was travelling in was hit by a bus. He was on his way to attend a selection camp in Kozhikode for the district junior football team. His right leg had to be amputated and multiple surgeries were conducted on his left leg.
The accident that shook his life when he was studying in class eight cost him an academic year.
“Doctors said it would be very difficult to even stand or walk. The left leg's knee joint needed repeated care and physiotherapy. I had to stay back at home for a year and I spent playing chess on bed. After getting into a wheelchair, I tried playing cricket and volleyball. But I wanted to play football, because only that could give me happiness. I dreamed of at least standing in a football ground, without playing. However, after summing up courage for a year, I tried playing football on crutches,” he says.
Vysaskh fell from a cycle, when he tried to pedal it again after the amputation. He suffered a fracture from that fall, but never gave up. He even tried to swim. When he came back to field, more than one-and-a-half years after the accident, his friends and other players didn't show sympathy, but treated him as a normal player like them.
“I like to throw tackles and also to get fouled, for I feel being treated equal to the other players,” he smiles.
