Dominic Fernandes, a Class IX student has many reasons to thank football, a sport that he has been playing for the last nine years. The 13-year-old was never aware of his speed until Arthur Fernandes, a national level athlete, and his building society’s secretary saw him play football at a ground nearby.

A Maneckji Cooper’s player heads the ball as a St Joseph’s player looks on during their U-16 Div II inter-school match at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pics/Sameer Markande.