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What’s the story?
Two Ghana footballers who had come to Kolkata to realise their dream of playing for any of the Kolkata giants were duped by an Indian agent. Incidentally, one of the footballers has even played for the U-20 Ghana national team but now they are forced to roam around on the streets of the city.
In case you didn’t know
A lot of players from Africa come to the City of Joy every year to give trials at different Kolkata clubs, including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan SC. Some are selected while others return to their respected countries.
The heart of the matter
Ghanaians Richard Teyi Akumiha and Teti Philip Aadza with the help of an agent from their country first got in touch with an Indian agent named Subrata. The Indian then took $500 from the players assuring them trial opportunities at different clubs of Kolkata. However, on reaching Kolkata in November, last year, Akumiha and Aadza found that they were being cheated.
The pair had even come to the practice session of another I-League club, Minerva Punjab at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday with the hope of impressing the scouts of the visiting team, but they weren’t entertained.
The footballers are also trying to activate some contacts in Ghana and get some money in their accounts to sustain themselves till the time they are in India.
What’s next?
Akumiha and Aadza must return to Ghana in a week as their visas would expire by that time. If they don't go back to their native land in time, they are in danger of getting arrested.
Author’s take
Sport is an industry where a lot of wrongdoings happen beneath the layer of glitz and glamour. While some instances are brought to light others are hidden in the dark forever.
The shambolic step which the Indian agent has taken will only have a negative impact on the image of the country and in future foreign footballers will think twice before pursuing a football career in the nation.
