National Games 2023: Fisherman's son Rohit Yesudas stars as Kerala beats hosts Goa to beach football gold

By Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has covered almost every Olympic sport, but Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field have his heart.

Published at :November 3, 2023 at 10:12 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:56 AM

National Games 2023: Fisherman's son Rohit Yesudas stars as Kerala beats hosts Goa to beach football gold

(Courtesy : National Games)

The 21-year-old hopes to represent India in beach soccer.

Kerala emerged triumphant in the Beach Football Final, displaying a scintillating performance as they dominated hosts Goa in front of an enthusiastic crowd at National Games 2023.

Goa and Kerala, who both expectedly reached the final, engaged in a closely contested battle for the gold. Ultimately, it was Kerala’s exceptional performance that secured their victory in the crucial match.

However, the standout performer for Kerala was the young Rohith Yesudas, whose inspiring display added an extra layer of significance to their victory in the final.

Hailing from a family of fishermen, 21-year-old Rohith Yesudas overcame various adversities during his upbringing. He became emotional when sharing his journey as a footballer, stating, “It is very, very special to me. It is well known that a fisherman does not earn much, and my father was no exception. There were times we did not have proper food to eat, and yet it was my dad and mom who always helped me pursue my dream as a footballer.”

He explained how his passion for beach football developed as he grew up near a beach in Thiruvananthapuram, saying, “The passion for beach football came as our house is very nearby to a beach in Thiruvananthapuram. So, one can say I grew up in that beach.”

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Rohith, who is a regular starter for the Travancore Royals FC, India’s first fan-owned football club, aspires to represent India in beach soccer in the future. He believes that this victory will boost the popularity of beach football in Kerala, motivating young talents to choose it as a career.

Rohith faced a personal tragedy just before Kerala’s first game in the event as he lost his paternal grandfather, who played a significant role in his growth as a footballer. He dedicated the victory to his grandfather and expressed his desire to play for India in beach soccer.

The coach, Sashin Chandran, played a crucial role in Kerala’s success. Even when Goa took a formidable 4-2 lead in the second period of the game, he motivated the footballers from the sidelines, and their relentless performance paid off.

“We were confident of leaving Goa with the gold. One could see how doggedly the footballers performed even when the chips were down. We never gave up for once and deservingly won today,” Chandran said.

Chandran is optimistic that this successful beach football event in Goa will bring the attention and recognition this exciting 5-a-side format deserves. He believes that the All India Football Federation will take necessary steps to promote beach football, and an Indian team will soon emerge in this format. Kerala has set an example, and Chandran expects other states to follow suit.

Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.