India’s U-17 football team’s midfielder Komal Thatal is the only Sikkimese player in the side and the 17-year-old will be expected to score crucial goals.
Thatal’s parents who are tailors ensured that even with their low income he was given the necessary support to pursue his passion.
However, when he didn’t have an actual football, Thatal made a ball with plastic or cloth to play.
My parents are tailors and we have a small shop at my native place. When I was a child I used to play with round objects made of cloth or plastic.Komal Thatal
AIFF Selection
Thatal started playing football at the Namchi Sports Academy in Sikkim in 2011. After three years of training, the head coach at the academy asked Thatal to attend the trial conducted by the AIFF in Goa in 2014.
He impressed the selectors and has been with the Indian team ever since.
Top Scorer & Record Holder
Thatal is the top-scorer of the India U-17 team at the moment with 9 goals. The youngster entered the record books during the BRICS Cup in Goa in 2016, when he became the first Indian to score against Brazil at any level.
However, India lost the match 1-3.
The Big Manchester United Break
According to reports, Komal Thatal has caught the eye of the 20-time Premier League champions Manchester United.
The English giants’ scouts will be keeping an eye on the midfielder during the FIFA U-17 World Cup, as reported by Sportskeeda.
Idols, Favourite Teams & Favourite Actors
Komal Thatal, who was born on 18 September 2000, is fond of the way Liverpool’s attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho performs on the football pitch.
Thatal is a fan of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, and loves to eat momos.
(Breathe in, Breathe out: Are you finding it tough to breathe in polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution for pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)