Bending It in Vikaspuri

Sylvester Peter, 37 , works as a holistic trainer, counsellor and motivational speaker, and uses his personal earnings to run My Angels Academy (MAA), which is based in a small rented room in a slum in the Vikaspuri area of Delhi.

Sylvester Peter, 37 , works as a holistic trainer, counsellor and motivational speaker, and uses his personal earnings to run My Angels Academy (MAA), which is based in a small rented room in a slum in the Vikaspuri area of Delhi. Through MAA, Peter aims to transform the lives of slum children by imparting theoretical, moral and practical lessons. At present, 110 children attend the academy. Peter works with children who are rag-pickers, petty thieves, drug addicts and even religious fundamentalists, emphasising dignity, honesty, respect. He often uses sports to impart life lessons such as the hardship of losing, the joy of winning, team spirit, patience and anger management. Football was an instant choice, since he felt it appealed to most children. Both boys and girls report to a park in the area at 4.30 am for football and yoga practice. MAA is the West Zone Delhi football champion and won the Manchester United-sponsored Young Star Challenge tournament in 2012. Three of the academy’s players were also selected for the prestigious Barcelona football camp in 2011

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Raul Irani