BANGALORE: Faazil Ahmed and Shankara Narayanan are the two lucky kids from Bangalore to make the list in the Adidas FIFA Fairplay Flagbearers Programme held at the Kanteerava Stadium here.
The two Bangaloreans were selected out of 350 children after being tested on the basis of their skill, football knowledge and passion for the game.
Six children have been selected from New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore to be flag bearers at the upcoming football World Cup to be held from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil.
The six will head to Sao Paulo for a pre-quarter-final match on July 1.
"Brazil is the ultimate stage for football and with incredible energy and passion for the game. I am really excited about the 2014 FIFA World Cup and this is a great opportunity for all the young, football crazy fans to represent India and be part of what is going to be a historic football event," said India cricketer Virat Kohli, as he announced the names of the children selected.
Faazil, the 14-year-old Std VIII student of the Presidency School, East, is crazy about football.
"He always comes to school with his school bag hung over his shoulders and a football in his hands. He will bounce it and then roll it, run after it and then show his dribbling ability. He is surely very keen to be a footballer and I am delighted that he has been selected," said G Thangadurai, the Director and Principal of the school.
"He plays for the junior school team and has a lot of potential. Faazil is very talented and if he keeps up his interest level, he can turn out to be a very good footballer," said his coach Premkumar, the former ASC, Services and India goalkeeper.
"My favourite player is Lionel Messi and I hope I can meet him," said an ecstatic Faazil. "My favourite team is FC Barcelona," he adds.
"Among the Indians, I like Sunil Chhetri and I also want to become the captain of the Indian football team," Faazil said.
"I hope to enjoy myself and shake hands with as many great football players as I can," he added, excited to catch the flight to Brazil and already on cloud nine.