Celebrating Life

From a sponsored child to a soccer player

Suraj Kumar is looking forward to make a mark in the FIFA World Cup 2026.individual

He is one among the 15 children who are selected by the TATA trusts and U Sports for a premier collaborative football six-year training programme in Germany.

Hard work, discipline and a never give up spirit helped Suraj to scale such heights, but Suraj acknowledges the role of his sponsor in his success.

Suraj hails from Imphal. His father was unemployed while his mother worked as an attendant in a Nursing Institute. Life was difficult until someone came forward to sponsor Suraj.

Suraj was sponsored in the year 2013. He was then in class 4.

Since then, Suraj and his community has been enjoying the benefits of World Vision India’s child sponsorship programme.

From ensuring that every child has access to education to supplying hygiene kits, conducting awareness programmes, providing economic development assistance in the form of petty shops, poultry, goat rearing, handloom machines, tea stalls, etc., World Vision India is making sustainable impact in the lives of children in the communities in Imphal.

Soccer had a special place in Suraj’s heart since his early days. “I always dreamt of being a soccer player,” he recalls.

Today, Suraj has come a long way. His dream has come true.

Biswanath Sinha, associate director, Tata Trusts expressed optimism that the young players will be able to make a mark in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

teamSuraj is determined to make the best use of this opportunity and become a great soccer player. In his letter to his sponsor, he writes, “When I grow up, I want to be a great soccer player who brings good name for my country. I also want to help people who are in need. I also want to show my love and concern to children by sending them gifts like you’ve been doing graciously to me. Your love and care will always remain in my heart.”

Suraj’s sponsor is equally elated to see his young sponsored child bloom into a soccer player. “I know you are a very talented child. I’m looking forward to see you as a great player and would love to watch you play in international arena” his sponsor writes.

We wish Suraj Kumar the very best in all his endeavours.

 

98 thoughts on “From a sponsored child to a soccer player

  1. Jagdish Chander

    Happy for Suraj, Proud moment for me :). May god bless him, i want to see him achieving his dreams .

    i would glad to see more people like suraj achieving their dreams. their difficult situations in their respective families should not be limit.

    Overall great work team world vision, you provided a platform for the people like me to support dreamers like Suraj.

    Thank You !!!
    Jagdish

  2. Siddharth Jairaj

    Dear Suraj – Wishing you all the best – Am sure you will play well and bring lots of success to you, your family and your country. Happy Playing !!

  3. G Narayana

    I am very happy to note that Suraj is a step near to his dream of becoming a world class soccer player. I wish him success n pray God to give him strength to achieve his dream.

  4. Mumuksha

    This is remarkable! Keep up the momentum, Suraj! Congratulations to the proud sponsor, to the parents and to the world vision team!

  5. Meena Newaskar

    Congratulations Suraj! We are so proud of you.You are a star in the making….May your dreams come true. God Bless!

  6. Pauline Ralph

    Well done Suraj. Knowing that sponsorship has made this wonderful opportunity possible makes so many people happy on your behalf so we all benefit from it. It would be wonderful if all children could experience the joy you must be feeling right now.

  7. JAYEETA SENGUPTA

    congratulations!! wish you all the best. Never forget your roots, and stay humble 🙂 all the love and luck in the world to you!!

  8. vijaya

    Wow..It’s really a great news. I am proud of you Suraj … Congratulations and stay blessed always. Love you Aunty Chowdhary

  9. Saurabh Sharma

    Congrats Suraj !! We have high expectations from you, we want you to lead indian team to FiFA world cup soon !! All the best !!

  10. Hema S Bagri

    Remarkable Suraj!
    May all your dreams come true and then some!
    Pat on the back to the dedicated team at world vision.
    We the sponsors, provide only the money,but making it work in the right direction is carried Forward by you.’Thanks.
    Keep up the good work!

  11. Carmen DCosta

    Congratulations Suraj! Thanks to your Sponsor’s support, I am sure you will make us all proud some day. God Bless You!

  12. M Unnikrishnan Menon

    All the best…..Congratulations my son……keep it up. I am sure tomorrow you will make your country proud.

  13. Archana saxena

    Congratulations Suraj…we are proud of you…your hard and dedication will pay off..keep it up…we are supporting you…all the success…

  14. UDAY ADHIKARI

    Congrats Suraj and the team of Worldvision .. these are the fruits of your never tiring efforts in uplifting the needy children and their family.

  15. Deval Ganguly

    Great SURAJ. Congrats from me n my family. U hv shown many that one can achieve aims n goals in life with sincere effort training n dedication. Keep it up n I wl come to see 2026 WC matches if u represent India. Ur dream wl come true with all our wishes.

  16. Usha Ramu

    My hearty wishes Suraj.

    I am glad to hear the good news.

    May God bless you sound health and unbridled stamina to reap success.

    Wish you all the best

  17. Christopher Pereira

    Suraj congratulation on this wonderful achievement you have succeeded and have come along, i pray for you that you may achieve all your goals in life. You have definitely made your sponsors proud. Take care and God Bless you.

  18. PROF. BADRINARAYANA MUDIAM

    My truly sincere congratulations to Chi. Suraj. My hearty prayers to the Almighty that he blesses him with good success and benevolent attitude in his future life

  19. Abhijit Biswas

    Excellent achievement Suraj..Congratulations!!….all the very best for your bright future son…. May God bless you and give strength and direction…I am sure you WILL MAKE IT TO THE TOP.
    We will eagerly wait to see that day when the nation will cheer…”Suraj” . ..”Suraj”…”Suraj”..!!

  20. Bipin Patel

    Hearty congratulations Suraj…
    We are proud of you..
    Make your parents, teachers, friends, well wishers and the country proud by giving all you have in you to realise your dream.. There is nothing impossible in this world..
    Go Suraj Go…

  21. Savio martins

    Congratulations Suraj Follow your Dreams and work passionately towards Fulfilling it. I am sure you will get there

  22. BHARAT BHUSHAN GHAI

    With sponsored individual showing excellent progress is a feather in the cap of Word Vision. However all children need constant help to lead, life in due course, as disciplined life Indian citizens & to be assets to our great nation.They are future of our nation & are to groomed to carry the nation forward. Dear Suraj is setting an example for others. Well done Suraj, Keep it up.

  23. Rishi Rohra

    Congratulations Suraj.. Rise and Shine..
    Keep up the hard work and you will be a winner soon.

    All the best and god bless you!

  24. Indra Mohan Deveshvar

    Dr. I M Deveshvar

    Dear Suraj
    Congratulations.We are proud of you. God bless you,wish you success in all your endeavours. Aim high and reach for the stars, always. Make your country proud of you.

    My congratulations to your parents, your sponsor and World vision

  25. Irene

    Hey Suraj, Way to go man!! Great job!

    “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”

    Keep up the good work,never stop believing in yourself and always play to win.

    All the very best. God Bless…

  26. Wg Cdr S K John (retd)

    Hearty Congratulations, Suraj. Keep working hard and we look forward to a real soccer star from India in the future.

  27. Niloufer Wadia

    Congratulations! God Bless you! May you bring yourself, your community and all those who wish for better lives, hope and pride. Always be a good example Suraj!

  28. Seema

    Suraj you’re a superstar! May today’s success be the beginning of tomorrow’s achievements!!!!
    you make all of us proud and specially World vision Society!!
    All the Best to you!!!

  29. Namita Shrivastava

    I am overwhelmed by the news. God bless you Suraj. May you always prosper. YOU WILL REACH YOUR GOAL very soon. Sky is the limit!

  30. Murali Kotte

    Congratulations Suraj on your getting selected for the FIFA Worldcup. We are very proud of you on your achievement and for all the hard work you did in order to realize this dream.

    Best wishes to you.

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