Riyadh: Nine-year-old Eyzaan Anas Abdulshukur, a native of Kannur, has been selected for the under-10 team of Al Ahli Club, one of the leading clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Eyzaan earned a place in the team by performing well in the under-10 category in the selection trials held last May. The talented young player is currently in the Al Ahli training camp ahead of the Western Province Level matches in the coming months. Prominent teams playing in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia such as Al Ittihad and Al Ahli will participate in the provincial competitions. Al-Ahli club officials have requested his selection not only in the under-10 category but also in the under-11 category.
His father Anas, who realized his interest in football since childhood, enrolled him in the Jeddah Sports Academy. Eyzaan was four years old when he started training at the Jeddah Sports Academy in 2019 under Lima Joseph, a native of Cameroon. Eyzaan, who performs well in children's competitions, is the favorite of the spectators at the football grounds in Jeddah. Eyzaan has been selected player of the match in several club competitions, displaying speed, passing and dribbling beyond his years.
Eyzaan with coach Lima Joseph
Loves playing on the left and right wings, Eyzaan's measured crosses are a sight to behold. Eyzaan, who is a die-hard fan of Ronaldo, is preparing to make history in the Saudi grounds.
The coach of Al Ahli Club says about Eyzaan, "We selected him for the team from the audition. He was one of the best players we saw at the audition. He has a special talent for football, he excels in ball control, speed and footwork".
Cameroon coach Lima Joseph, who has been coaching since 2019, says, "Eyzaan is a complete footballer. The star shines equally on the left wing and the right wing. It is expected that Eyzaan will become a world-renowned star with excellent speed, ball handling, and dribbling skills".
Eyzaan was also the youngest player in the tournament when he scored 3 goals and was selected as the best-emerging player in a children's tournament involving leading Arab academies in Jeddah. He was the top scorer in the tournament conducted by Blasters FC.
Eyzaan is a class 4 student of Jeddah International Indian School. Father Anas Kochipally works as an accountant at ATCO Group Company in Jeddah. Mother Amina Lulu Younas is a native of Koothuparamp, Kannur. Two-year-old Esak Sareen is the only sister.