All eyes on Aman Khanna

Aman Khanna fulfilled his promise to his school, Maneckji Cooper Education Trust, Juhu, of bagging the football third division title in the under-16 category in the Mumbai School Sports Association after the trophy eluded the school for nearly a decade.

Not only was the 15-year-old mid-fielder at the forefront with his goal scoring abilities, he also honed the goal-keeper’s role with three saves against Army Public School to lift the coveted title. However, the Andheri-based lad had a moment of realization when he wasn’t selected in the Bengaluru FC trials last year. “I was called for the Bengaluru FC trials in March last year but didn’t get selected. The quality of players was on a different level altogether. I realised there was a lot of catching up to do. It was a moment of realisation for me and I knew if I had to be with the best, I had to be the best. I started training hard, with emphasis on my fitness and technique. It’s started to pay off,” said the 10th grade student of the Juhu school.

Khanna went on to represent the under-15 team of India Rush SC and scored three goals during the recently-concluded AIFF under-15 I-League tournament. While his team didn’t make it to the nationals, it opened opportunities for him with other clubs as well. He played the MDFA under-15 tournament and was part of the under-17 team set-up for the MDFA, which competed for the Maharashtra Inter District Championship.

“The Maharashtra Inter District Championship was just a few days before my ISCE board exams and I didn’t have time to study. I had fallen ill and was on antibiotics. Somehow, I managed to study in the last three-four days and appeared for my examinations. I was expecting 75 per cent. The momentum and the success of this season helped me in my exams and results,” added Aman, who ended up scoring 92 per cent.

His principal, Mrs. Kashmira Gundevia is proud that Aman fulfilled his promise made to the school. “In his last year, he had promised that he and the entire team would lift the MSSA title and they did so with flying colours. It was his dream to gift the title to the school in his last year as a remembrance.”

He now aims to make the cut to the Indian under-17 team. Unlike most youngsters his age who idolise European and South American players, he wants to follow in the footsteps of the Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri. “Sunil Chhetri is my favourite player, he is an inspiration for Indian footballers. I want to make it to the Indian team just like him. First, I need to make it to the state. Playing for U-17 Indian team would be a great honour and my dream. I also want represent my favourite club – Bengaluru FC someday,” Khanna signed off.