How football became a safe space for children of North Chennai
Football has become a vital outlet for children in North Chennai, providing them with discipline and a sense of community. Coaches like T. Manoharan and his team offer free training to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them stay engaged in positive activities. The program not only promotes sports but also emphasizes the importance of education, with coaches ensuring students attend school regularly.
- ▪T. Manoharan and other coaches provide free football training to students in North Chennai.
- ▪The program aims to keep children engaged in sports rather than anti-social activities.
- ▪Many students receive support for equipment and snacks after practice sessions.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
A TNEB employee, T. Manoharan, is known to students in Tondiarpet and nearby neighbourhoods as “coach” - the man who got them hooked onto football. In May every year, the Madras Port Trust ground is usually packed with different sports and more than 50 students from class 1 to college show up for the free football coaching.This May too, at the North Chennai Football club, Mr. Manoharan, alongside other coaches, Sulaiman B., Sekar K., and a few more, were training the students on a humid morning. “We all got our jobs through the sports quota, and we wanted to give back to the sport and do something for the children of our neighbourhood who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. That is why we started coaching for free all year round.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu — Top.
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