xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_18197" align="alignnone" width="580"] Former footballers and coaches comes forward in support of Dana Cup bound footballers. File Pic[/caption] Kolkata: The talented footballers of Durbar Sports Academy are waiting for their “Udaan” to take off. Come the 21st of July, when a bunch of 16 promising footballers will see their dream turn into reality as they board their flight to Denmark to take part in the Dana Cup. The budding footballers, all sons of sex workers of Sonagachi have been invited to take part in the invitational Dana Cup which starts from July 25-30. It will be the first time that a team comprising of the sons of sex workers will be seen in action competing with the teams from all across the globe. But lack of sponsors almost saw their dreams get dashed when xtratime.in decided to come forward to support them so that they can see their dreams see day light. As a pioneer sports website xtratime.in and leading cable networks SITI Broadband have joined hands in organizing a charitable fundraising concert to send them to Denmark to take part in the tournament. The concert named ‘Udaan’: Flight of Hope will see the top singers of the country voicing their popular numbers  to support them on 16th July at Nazrul Mancha. The artists have all come forward to support the noble initiative by xtratime.in and SITI Broadband. According to Director of XtraTime, Anilava Chatterjee, “We feel as a citizen of this country it is our duty to stand beside these deprived children who are stranded and cannot go to Denmark to play the tournament due to financial constraints.” After AIFF and IFA officials, East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan and Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen too wished the Dana Cup Bound footballers for their success in the Dana Cup. Now, the former footballers and coaches like P.K.Banerjee, Subhash Bhowmick and Subrata Bhattacharya also wished the footballers and encouraged them. Former India as well as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan coach, P.K.Banerjee said, "Its a great achievement for these young players to participate in a tournament of this stature. I wish them luck. But their journey must not end with Dana Cup as I want to see them excel to greater heights in future. They must play their natural game in Denmark and should not be scared of anything. They should perform in such a manner so that the teams from different countries should hail their way of playing." East Bengal's Asean Cup winning coach Subhash Bhowmick said, "They must make their nation proud. Winning or losing is a part and parcel of the game. They should fly with their wings high. My best wishes are with them." Mohun Bagan's two times National Football league winning coach Subrata Bhattacharya said, "I want to thank the organisation who are taking this noble initiative to send these underprivileged children to Denmark and make them feel that they are part of these society. I am sure they will perform well there."