Football is a game that transcends boundaries, uniting people through passion, perseverance, and dreams. This is the inspiring story of Santhana Bharathi, a third-year student from the ECE department, whose journey from playing football in the streets to becoming a key player in our college team is a testament to dedication and growth.
Santhana Bharathi’s love for football began at a young age when he would play with his friends in the local streets. However, it wasn’t until he met Mr. Raja Sir, a coach who played a pivotal role in shaping his career, that he truly discovered his potential. Mr. Raja Sir saw something in him, a raw talent waiting to be honed, and took him under his wing, guiding him as a goalkeeper.
One of the most important lessons Mr. Raja Sir imparted to him was never to show fear on the field. “You should not fear when the ball comes to you with a man charging at it… the one charging towards you should fear your aggression,” he would say. This powerful advice changed Santhana Bharathi’s approach to the game, teaching him to be fearless and aggressive, to dominate his space, and to embrace every challenge with confidence.
With this new mindset, Santhana Bharathi helped his school team reach the state-level match in his 10th grade by saving a penalty in the last minute to secure victory in the division zone. Unfortunately, due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Santhana Bharathi faced a setback in his 11th and 12th grades, unable to showcase his potential on the field.
However, once he entered college, his passion for football reignited. In his first year, our college team participated in their first-ever zone match, but luck didn’t favour them that day. But by his second year, they became runners-up in the zone, showing considerable improvement. In his third year, Santhana Bharathi’s perseverance and leadership as goalkeeper helped the team win the zone and lift the trophy for the first time in our college’s history. It was a remarkable achievement, especially given the limited resources and infrastructure available to the team. This victory was made possible by the hard work and unwavering support of our senior, Gowtham from the ECE department (batch of 2019-2023), who was the backbone of the team during its struggles.
In addition to his college achievements, Santhana Bharathi has also played for his district club team, where he earned the title of Best Goalkeeper after delivering exceptional saves in both penalty shootouts and regular matches. This recognition in his local community was a significant milestone in his career, and it continues to inspire him to push his limits and improve his game every day.
Today, Santhana Bharathi stands as an example of how passion, hard work, and determination can take someone from playing football on the streets to becoming a leader on the field. For Santhana Bharathi, football is not just a game—it is a way of life. His story perfectly embodies the philosophy of “Joga Bonito”—Play Beautiful. It’s about more than just playing the game; it’s about embracing the beauty of the sport and playing with heart and soul. Santhana Bharathi’s journey is a celebration of that spirit—of playing beautifully, both on the field and in life.
Nardhana Sri. R
II CSE 2
