on 15 January 1996 a new Icon was born for Young Footballers in India named Pratik Shinde in Mumbai. Pratik caught the attention of people when he got contract offer from USA based side Glavestone Pirates.
It was only when he was 7 years old when he started playing Football in the Slums of Mumbai.Pratik never took Football seriously then.He was only 11 years old when he learned about Trials being offered by Kenkre FC for their youth team.Pratik went to give the trials with very minimum expectation and eventually made it easily to the Kenkre juniors.Then Pratik joined Andheri Football Academy under the coaching Guidance of Mr.Maloy Sengupta.
It was Maloy Sengupta only who change Pratiks life after selecting him for India u14 team for the Gothia Cup in Sweden after highly getting impressed by his Midfield skills.Pratik grabbed the attention of USA based side Glavestone Pirates after his superb performance against Mexico u14 and Germany u14.Mr Keyes then took the Contact number of Pratik and promised him with a positive reply.Months passed away after Gothia Cup but no reply came but Pratik rejected offers from Mohun Bagan Junior team and also Air India junior team to continue playing for his club named Steadfast FC in Mumbai and still trusting the words of Mr.Keyes.Then through a Social Networking Mr. Keyes got in touch with Pratik and offered him a lucrative contract in Glavestone Pirates Junior team.
Then it was History in the making as Pratik became the First Indian Junior Footballer to get a contract offer from any Foreign Clubs.Celebrations arose everywhere in Mumbai,but it was then only when his problems started in his Footballing Career.Pratik being from a Middleclass family could not afford to pay his for his tickets to travel to USA.Then came help from a Mumbai based company which sponsored Pratik for his Air Ticket,but owing to Visa problems Pratik never made it to USA till now.He went to help from AIFF but no reply came,but he is still fighting for his VISA and is still desperate to go to USA somehow.His coach Mr.Keyes gave him a high relief when he said he will be coming to INDIA soon to solve his VISA problems.
Recently Pratik represented Maharasthra team in the Tennis Football Tournament and won a GOLD medal for his team and was their star performer.Pratik still hopes to play in USA and is working day by day and has Faith upon his Coach and God.
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