Laced for Glory

In the streets of Kolkata, lived a boy named Adiv. He lived with his parents and grandparents. Adiv was in 6^th grade. He was very passionate about sports, especially football. Every afternoon, he practiced football in his backyard alone, since he had nobody to play with at home. However, he was part of a local football academy, and went for regular training sessions. Adiv’s dream was to play for the biggest club in England, ‘London Reds’. He has been a supporter of ‘London Reds since he was a child. Adiv was also brilliant in studies. He lived in India, where football still lagged behind cricket. There were hardly any major international level football clubs and the earnings of most footballers was also low. But he was determined.

On a summer afternoon, Adiv’s father called him for a discussion. His father told him to focus on studies, and exit the football academy that he was part of. He was advised to forego his dream of being a professional footballer. Adiv was left with no words, only tears. He studied harder and scored extremely good marks in his final exams. He worked harder at his game too, and soon was the best player in the academy. He was selected by the coach for a small inter-club tournament.

He scored 4 goals and gave 3 assists in 3 games. In the semi-final, he scored 2 goals which led his team to a 4-1 win and a place in the final. They were facing the hosts in the final. Adiv tied the laces of his football boots tightly, and glanced across the field. The whistle blew and the game started. The opponents scored the first goal. Then his team equalised. In the dying minutes of the game, with just about 3 minutes left, Adiv got the ball far away from the box. He had teammates on his left, right and front. Every single teammate shouted ‘pass’ but Adiv ignored, there was not enough time to pass. He kept dribbling the ball. While dribbling the ball he decided to shoot which was probably the last attack of the game. His teammates were furious but the coach and team manager understood what Adiv was trying to do. They watched with bated breath. It was so fast that the defenders were on their knees. The goalkeeper stretched and dived, but could not save the goal. Everybody celebrated with cheers and tears. Adiv had won the final for his team, with a 2-1 victory.

Interviewers jumped onto the field to ask him loads of questions. A talent scout from a big football club in India, ‘Goa Warriors’ was watching. He was impressed by Adiv’s talent and bravery for taking a shot from so far out. He had a meeting with Adiv’s parents and a deal was signed. Adiv travelled to Goa to play for ‘Goa Warriors’. He played many matches, scored many goals. When he turned 15, he became a part of the main team. He became the youngest ever goal scorer in the Indian Football League (IFL). Fans started calling him the future of Indian football. He led ‘Goa Warriors’ to their 2^nd IFL title.

Then he joined the best club in India, ‘Bengal United’. He won 3 IFLs in a row with Bengal United. He broke the record of the most goals scored by a single player in a league, with 27 goals. Adiv retired at the age of 35 with 7 IFL wins, 10 top scorer award, 5 player of the season and two times best Asian footballer. Adiv wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration for those who wanted to be a footballer.


At the age of 42, Adiv was approached by ‘London Reds’ to be their assistant coach. Adiv could not believe his luck. His childhood dream, to be a part of ‘London Reds’, was about to be fulfilled. He won 2 English first division leagues with London Reds. He was soon made the head coach. At the age of 50 Adiv returned to India and opened his own football academy. He scouted for talent and nurtured them. It was his way of giving back to society.

Note : This story was written as part of an event organised at Mallika Malancha Housing Complex, Newtown, Kolkata. We commend them for encouraging young voices.

FAQ's Laced for Glory I Story By Nibir

Who is the main character in the story?
The main character is Adiv, a young boy from Kolkata who dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

What was Adiv passionate about?
Adiv was passionate about football and spent hours practicing to improve his skills.

What challenge did Adiv face from his family?
His father wanted him to focus only on studies and leave his football academy, believing football was not a secure career.

How did Adiv prove his dedication to football?
Despite the challenges, he worked hard both in academics and football, eventually becoming the best player in his academy.

What happened in the inter-club tournament final?
Adiv scored a spectacular long-range goal in the final minutes, helping his team win the tournament 2–1.

How did Adiv begin his professional football career?
A talent scout noticed his performance in the tournament and offered him a place at the football club Goa Warriors.

What records and achievements did Adiv accomplish in Indian football?
He became the youngest-ever goal scorer in the Indian Football League and won multiple league titles, awards, and accolades.

Which club did Adiv dream of joining since childhood?
His dream was to be part of the famous English club, London Reds.

Did Adiv’s childhood dream come true?
Yes. Although not as a player, he later joined London Reds as an assistant coach and eventually became the head coach.

What did Adiv do after returning to India?
He started his own football academy to discover and train young football talent.

What message does the story convey?
The story teaches the importance of perseverance, hard work, courage, and believing in your dreams despite obstacles.

Why is the title “Laced for Glory” significant?
The title symbolizes Adiv tying the laces of his football boots before an important match and his readiness to chase success and achieve greatness.

How does Adiv inspire young readers?
He shows that determination, discipline, and dedication can help turn even the biggest dreams into reality.

Who would enjoy reading this story?
Children and young readers who love sports, football, inspiring journeys, and stories about achieving dreams will enjoy this story.

What role does education play in Adiv’s journey?
Adiv balances both studies and sports, showing that academic success and athletic ambition can go hand in hand.

Where can I buy books?

You can buy the books at Bookosmia website and Amazon.in

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – AI generated images from Chat GPT and Magic Media from Canva .

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