Alipurduar, Jan. 1: A hearing and speech-impaired youth from Alipurduar has been selected in the Bengal team for the 15th National Deaf and Dumb Football Championship to be held in Kerala from January 10-14.

Manash Bhattacharjee (in picture by Anirban Choudhury) lives in Palashbari village, around 25km from Alipurduar town. Three local businessmen and the Alipurduar Municipality gave him Rs 2,000 so that he could buy tickets to Kannur in Kerala.

The players have to bear their own travelling expenses, while the organisers will take care of their accommodation and food at the venue.

“My father is a priest and he could not have afforded the cost of the trip,” Bhattacharjee wrote on a piece of paper.

The 25-year-old is a keen athlete as well. Last year, at the state deaf and dumb athletic competition held in Malda, Bhattacharjee came first in 200m, second in 100m and third in high jump.

However, football remains his first love. “I want to play for the national team,” Bhattacharjee wrote.

“We are very proud of him and will ensure that financial constraints never come in the way of his ambition,” said Bikash Saha, one of the three businessmen who helped Bhattacharjee.