LUCKNOW, Sept. 20 -- Shiva, a young balloon seller at Patrakarpuram crossing in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar, once saw a big bunch of footballers juggling with a ball at one of the playing centres of Techtro Lucknow Football Club. The activities of youngsters fascinated him and he kept coming to that place for almost a week.

However, Shiva, now 12, couldn't stop him from joining the action after seeking permission from the TLFC people, especially one of its founders Abhishek Kumar. Two years on, Shiva is one of the best attacking midfielders in Lucknow football today and if all goes well, the boy will soon be playing in the age category I-League on the list of the All India Football Federation.

"Shiva's passion for the game is immense and he d...