Mumbai schoolboy celebrates Eid a day early with hat-trick

Eid would have got a tad more special for Arbaaz Sheikh after the Thakur Vidyamandir lad scored the MSSA Boys U-16 III Division's first hat-trick as his side thumped Our Lady of Health (Sahar) 3-0 at St. Xavier's Ground, Parel, yesterday.

Arbaaz has made a dream start to the tournament, despite observing the Roza during the Holy Month of Ramzan and the hat-trick took his tally to five, underlining his status as one of the boys to watch in the division.

The youngster says there has been no dip in his form despite his fasting. It is a matter of practice makes perfect for the Kandivali schoolboy. Arbaaz told Mirror: "I practise daily after school with my team. I train vigorously and this regular training has helped me perform. Regular practise and hardwork is the key to success."

His coach Lawrence Bing uses another adage to motivate the squad. "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy" is what Bing tells his players, urging them to strike the right balance between academics and sport.

"Studies for any person come first and should be priority. Studies functions as a ladder and by climbing the ladder one can achieve success," Bing said.

The win helped Thakur Vidyamandir bounce back from their defeat by Hansraj Morarji. And jubilant with his team's showing, Bing was quick to heap praise on his star man Arbaaz

"He is a lad with pace and aggression. Whenever he has any doubt regarding the game and his play, he comes straight to me," Bing said.

Eid Mubarak ! 

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