Sahil Harijon, the new kid on the block in Bengal’s football fraternity, being the top scorer in the recently-concluded Second Division I-league, also struck in the Higher Secondary examination this year. Overcoming all the difficulties and busyness due to the constant schedule of matches and training, the striker passed the examination in the First Division. The result came out on Wednesday.

Sahil thanked the teachers of his school Kalyangarh Bidhanchandra Vidyapith in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas as well as the family members commenting, "I did not continue studying in the late night as I had to rise early in the morning to attend training. So, I gave time in the evening till 10 or 10.30 PM and I never missed the session. Even after returning home from playing a match I did not waste time and started studying."

He became exhausted after returning home from either training or playing a match. "I did not have an option. I was almost fully detached from study during the CFL Premier Division and Second Division I-league. I used to take private tuition before the Kolkata League. But then I studied alone."

Sahil although has not yet decided about his further studies, might be asked to join Adamas University College to complete his graduation. 

Koustav Thakur, another potential youth footballer being nurtured by United Sports had an inspiring performance in the Madhyamik examination in the First Division. 

Koustav, at the age of only 12 drew attention of his football fraternity when he became champion in a ball-juggling competition. He juggled more than 1000 times, surpassing all other participating footballers. He was playing for the Mohammedan Sporting junior side that time. 

Koustav’s father Koushik Thakur does not have a steady earning. He runs a small mobile recharge shop on the roadside. But due to the road construction, the shop is going to be evicted soon. Koustav’s uncle is his mentor, guiding him in study as well as constantly encouraging him to continue football. 

Before the Madhyamik examination, Koustav had studied almost the whole night every day after coming back from rigorous training and hours of journey from Ashoknagar to Kalyani. Koustav’s family could not afford a private teacher for him before the examination due to a dire financial crisis. 

Significantly, Kalyangarh Bidyamandir in Ashoknagar has roped in Koustav as the school regularly takes part in the Subrata Cup. The midfielder who started playing the game at his ASA Academy and then at Rising Star Football Club, will be studying in the Higher Secondary Examination with pure science. 

Interestingly, an ardent fan of Spanish legend Andres Iniesta revealed, “Midfielders need to be cool extremely and they must have the intelligence to control the ground. I feel studying pure science, especially mathematics will help me to play football with precision.” 

Koustav's father added, “We are grateful to Nabab Bhattacharya for his constant support and inspiration. Whenever I conveyed any of our crisis to him, he has come forward without hesitation.”