Subham Basnett at St Xavier’s grounds in Pakyong. Picture by Prabin Khaling

Gangtok, June 7: A Sikkim teenager will fly to South Africa on June 14 to catch some live action of World Cup 2010 and to play a series of matches against teams from Brazil, Italy and Holland as part of an exposure trip.

Another proud product of Search for More Bhaichungs scheme of the Sikkim government, Subham Basnett, 15, has been selected by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the national Under-16 team. He had been inducted into Namchi Sports Hostel, the junior football academy of the state government, in 2006 under the scheme.

The boy was among the eight players of the hostel picked up by Air Force School, New Delhi, in 2008 after their performances in the Subroto Cup in the national capital.

Menla Ethenpa, the general secretary of the Sikkim Football Association, said: “The AIFF is sending an Under-16 team to South Africa. We are very proud that Basnett is from our state. It will be a precious trip for him as he and the other boys will get exposure in an international level. I wish him all the best and hope that more such talents emerge from our state.”

Subham, who is currently at his home in Pachey Samsing in Pakyong, East Sikkim, said he and the other members of the national team would be flying to South Africa from Mumbai on June 14 for a week-long exposure trip.

He is currently studying in Class IX under a scholarship at Air Force School, where he is also getting football training.

A central mid-fielder, Subham said he had been selected to the national team during an AIFF camp in Goa last month. He is the lone Sikkim boy to make it to the national team.

“We will have a camp with teams from several countries and play matches against some of them. The Indian team is included in a group that has members like Brazil, Canada, Greece, Italy, Pacific Islands, Holland, Switzerland and the USA,” said Subham.

“There are other events like dribbling competition, free kick challenge, 5-side matches, penalty shots and ball juggling for the teams. We will watch some World Cup matches as well and I am waiting for the matches involving Brazil or Spain,” he added.

The boy’s father, B.K. Basnett, a teacher at a local primary school, said: “My son is at home for a short break and I have to shop for items mentioned on the list given to him by the AIFF. On June 12, he will be leaving for Delhi, where his travel papers are being processed.”

Basnett, who himself was a footballer when he was young, said prayers of all had seen Subham doing well in pursuing the football dream. “I used to train him ever since he was 2-3 years old,” said the proud father.