
Thiruvananthapuram: In a historic moment for Magic City FC and the Different Art Centre, the first inclusive football team, guided by I.M. Vijayan, made headlines by scoring goals and showcasing their talent. The team made its debut in an exhibition match against Santosh Trophy players at the Different Art Centre yesterday, ending in an exhilarating 5-5 draw. Magic City FC's Karthik Mohan scored the opening goal within the first 5 minutes, and the match featured standout performances from players such as Shiju BK, Mohammed Irfan, Muhammed Askar, and many others.
Nandu Mohan of Magic City FC was named Man of the Match, receiving the trophy from Gokulam Gopalan. I.M. Vijayan praised the inclusive nature of the new team and expressed optimism about their future achievements. The event also celebrated Magic City FC's jersey and logo launches, the announcement of King's League Season 4, and I.M. Vijayan's 30th wedding anniversary.
The formation of this team is part of The Golden Goal project, aimed at empowering differently abled children through sports. Joel Richard Williams, the project’s lead trainer, has already seen success with players like Amal B and Shiju BK being selected for the Kings League. The Different Art Centre continues to support the social inclusion of differently abled individuals through various sports and activities, with facilities designed to help them excel in both national and international competitions.
