Playing centre-half for his school and the state squad, Porus helped Maharshtra claim the trophy, finishing second in his test that required him to impress in the two-touch manouvere — trap, turn around and shoot. A badminton player to start with — since his father had said success in team games hinged on too many variables — Porus continued to train for football in school, training individually at Khushnuma Parsee Colony, Colaba. Besides giving the scouts a chance to take a good look at the young talent available in the country, the skills competition had also impressed upon the participants the importance of basics in football.

Training with the city’s Kenkre Academy juniors, Porus is part of the new crop of Indian football youngsters. They follow the I League — Porus watched the Air India-Mohemeddan Sporting match live and got a measure of the pace, also noted how Indians adjusted their game, playing more aerial, to make up for the below-par field conditions. And, they are more likely to supplement their adoration for Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal with the admiration for Dempo’s Brazilian midfielder Beto, playing in India’s strictly modest environs.

“Facilities and finance are problems when encouraging kids to take up football seriously,” says Firdaus, “plus we start late, while kids abroad start at three-four years. There’s also the Indian physique, so we’ll have to work hard to get anywhere.” Mother Gulshan says the boy needs to prove his seriousness about the sport. “He needs to work hard and show us he’s dedicated.”