India may not be part of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia, but a bunch of young under-privileged boys are all set to live their dream of playing football in Spain — the land of their heroes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Non-governmental organisation OSCAR (Organisation for Social Change Awareness and Responsibility) Foundation's Football Programme, which uses football as a tool to encourage children and youth to complete their education, have selected a bunch of U-16 boys from their initiative to participate in the U-16 Donosti Cup tournament in San Sebastian, Spain, from June 30 to July 8. Youngsters Ashraf Aslam and Raj Kishan Chavan and Viju Subhash Pawar, all gripped by World Cup fever, are excited along with the rest of their teammates.

Difficult journey
Ashraf, 14, who plays as a defender, is eager to emulate his Argentine hero Messi, who plies his trade for FC Barcelona in the Spanish League. His journey however, like most of his teammates, has been anything but easy. The son of a fruit seller recalled how he had a tough time convincing his parents to permit him to be a part of the OSCAR Foundation. "My parents did not want me to play football. They felt there is no use playing this game.