Saba146;s son has different goals

Fidel Saba was the highest run-scorer for St James School, Kolkata, in the 2006 President8217;s Cup in Bangalore, and he also used to be a prolific opener for his school team.

Tired of playing cricket, former Indian wicket-keeper8217;s son Fidel switches over to football

Fidel Saba was the highest run-scorer for St James School, Kolkata, in the 2006 President8217;s Cup in Bangalore, and he also used to be a prolific opener for his school team. The player, though, would rather keep track of the goals he8217;s scored with his 8216;rare8217; left foot. Saba Karim8217;s son happens to be known more for his skills with a football than a cricket bat.

From a regular cricketer and an occasional footballer in Kolkata, all the way to a place in the Delhi under-19 football team as a winger for the Sub-junior BC Roy Trophy, it8217;s been a year8217;s whirlwind effort for the teenager.

8220;In Kolkata, I was more interested in cricket. I have only played a couple of matches for CCFC Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. I enjoyed football, but professionally wanted to take up cricket as there8217;s more scope in that. I liked football so much that one day I told my dad that I don8217;t want to play it cricket anymore and he agreed,8221; says Fidel.

Fidel8217;s spirit fuelled the journey from Arun Lal8217;s cricket academy to Shimla Youngs, all in a year. 8220;I never pushed him to play cricket. Youngsters should always be allowed to follow their passion. Since taking up football seriously last year in August, he8217;s shown progress within a short span,8221; says Saba Karim.

Off-field learning
Fidel8217;s learning process in Kolkata, strangely, has been more off the field, and mostly on-screen. 8220;I learnt a lot following the EPL English Premier League on television and the rest, especially tactics, from my playstation,8221; says the Manchester United fan.
The closeness of Lal8217;s cricket Academy from the Kolkata maidan might have been one of the distractions from cricket, but the famous clubs in the vicinity didn8217;t match the schedule of this student used to getting 80 per cent in school exams.
8220;I went to East Bengal and Mohun Bagan clubs for training. But their schedule, from 10 in the morning to 4 in the evening, wasn8217;t possible for me to follow. That8217;s one of the reasons I couldn8217;t play football in Kolkata,8221; the 17-year old rues.

Rare talent
Coach Anadi Barua sees a rare left-footed player in Fidel and reckons competition will judge his credentials.
8220;He8217;ll improve with competition and his selection in the Delhi under-19 squad is going to help. He8217;s a bit slow with turning but very quick in reacting to a situation. His trapping was average initially but now he8217;s capable of scoring goals. Being a left-footer is his biggest advantage. They are generally more gifted,8221; Barua says.
Fidel, however, remains glued to the world of football he8217;s seen the most and all directs all future plans towards the west.
8220;We he and family are not looking for football in India. After my board exams, I might go to England for a few months for training. If I do well there, I might stay back,8221; Fidel adds.