Rescued child workers to lead Messi to football field
August 23rd, 2011 - 7:01 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) It will be a day that will probably remain in their memories forever. Four rescued child labourers will lead footballer Lionel Messi and other players on to the field when Argentina and Venezuela meet for a friendly match in Kolkata next month.
According to a statement Tuesday by NGO Save the Children, four former child workers have been chosen to lead the Argentinean soccer player and others to the field Sep 2.
Rajen Bhuia, a 14-year-old rescued child labourer who is one of the four kids, said: “To watch Messi play live will be the most unforgettable moment of my life. I want to be a football player like him one day.”
An ardent football fan, he added: “I go to Salt Lake everyday to practice football for three hours early in the morning.”
Thomas Chandy of Save the Children said: “Using the platform provided by this match we would like to draw the attention of people that they can and must contribute to making a change in the lives of children.”
“Infant mortality is still very high in the country… nearly two million children under the age of five die every year in India,” he added.
- Rajen, friends await dream date with Messi - Aug 23, 2011
- How Presilla got a photo-op with idol Messi - Sep 01, 2011
- Messi better than Beckham in most parts of games: Sabella - Sep 03, 2011
- Kolkata celebrities lukewarm to Messi match - Aug 30, 2011
- Nivia football to be used in Messi match, 42,000 tickets sold - Aug 28, 2011
- All set for Messi magic Friday - Sep 01, 2011
- We are looking forward to the next game: Sabella - Sep 03, 2011
- Messi fever grips Dhaka - Sep 06, 2011
- It is a dream come true to coach Argentina: Sabella - Aug 31, 2011
- Messi is extraordinary, he is great: Sabella - Sep 03, 2011
- Ranbir to watch Messi in action in Kolkata - Aug 20, 2011
- Sourav invited for Messi match - Aug 28, 2011
- Messi choreographs Argentina's 1-0 victory over gritty Venezuela (Lead) - Sep 03, 2011
- World Cup campaign starts with Sep 2 match: Sabella - Aug 31, 2011
- Absent Messi hogs limelight at media meet - Aug 31, 2011
Tags: argentina, chandy, child labourers, football fan, football field, football player, friendly match, India, infant mortality, labourer, lionel messi, memories, moment of my life, New Delhi, ngo, rajen, salt lake, soccer player, two million, venezuela