Kolkata: There’s a famous saying that “Football is not just a game, it is how we live our lives” and Minerva Punjab FC’s off the field activities stand as a perfect testimony to the above words. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the club from Chandigarh visited ‘Education First’, a local NGO that provides free basic education to the unprivileged children from the slums in and around the city.
While others are busy celebrating the ‘Festival of Lights’ with their close and loved ones, 40 members of the Minerva teams from both the football and cricket club including the players as well as the staffs, visited the children in the NGO and spend some time with them celebraring the festival while also giving out the club Jersey and some other gifts to the children present in the organization. The club also hosted a lunch for the children and spend some delightful moments together, winning hearts of the fans worldwide through it’s philanthropic nature.
Henna Bajaj, who was also present on the occasion was happy to have spend a fruitful day and loved the experience. “It was a great experience to spend time with these wonderful kids and the players and staff had a great time celebrating the wonderful occasion of Diwali. We wish to come back here more often and hopefully do our little bit of spreading some joy and happiness. The team at Education First is doing a fantastic job and we wish them all the best,” said the co-owner of the Minerva FC.
The only club from northern India to participate in the I-League, Minerva Punjab FC has also nurtured many upcoming talents such as the likes of Jeakson Singh, Anwar Ali and Nongdamba Naorem all of whom have participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and are considered to among the future stars in Indian football. The residential academy club has influenced many youths of not only Punjab but across India who come and reside at the academy pursuing their education and at the same time learn the beautiful game called football keeping them away from harmful habits. It has actively encouraged young boys to overcome addictions towards drugs and take up the sport.
As a preparation for the upcoming I-League starting next month the club is at present participating in the Punjab State Super League and currently lead Group B with 11 points from 4 matches and are yet to lose a match in the league.