Soccer sorcery from Thanjavur

Having mastered juggling skills in football, he may become the first entrant in a unique category created for him by the Limca Book of Records, 2006.

Kumarvel, who hails from a remote village in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, last week juggled with the ball for 12.5 kms, without letting it touch the ground for two hours and 42 minutes in the warm-up area of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Delhi.

"It took me more than four years to achieve the feat," he said.

The 32-year-old's next target is a place in the Guinness Book of Records, which has suggested that he enter the 'Ball control fastest half marathon', since there is no category for him there as well.

"It would be rather difficult. I will be attempting that in October-November," Kumarvel said.

"I want to be a multiple record holder and so I am working on another record in which I will be beating the ball while running with speed," he added.

The die-hard football fan, who played for clubs in Malaysia and Singapore for four years, was inspired by legendary footballer Argentina's Diego Maradona, who performed the trick while practising before a match during the 1986 World Cup.

"I am mad about the game and of the kinds who eat, drink and sleep football. I have never taken any coaching till date but have followed tips from a Malaysian coach. My inspiration is Maradona.

"I am playing football since the age of 10 years and have led my team to many a victory in my village Athivetti Pichinikkadu," Kumarvel said.

Kumarvel also revealed that he is a strict vegetarian and it rather helped him in achieving the goal.

"I am a strict veggi so I never had muscle spasm," he said.

His physiotherapist brother Tamilmani supported the claim saying, "It is a scientifically proven fact now that muscle pulls and related injuries do not bother the vegetarians much."

Kumarvel said concentration is the key to his ball control and that came through everyday practice in the morning and the evening.

He said an opportunity to play or coach anywhere would be of interest after he has set the records.

"I would like to play or coach anywhere, but would prefer it in a western country," he said.

Though a fan of Ronaldinho, Kumarvel said he follows the Italian style more, as it has more sharp passing.

About Indian football players, he said they lack in ball control and tenchnical skills.

"But my eventual dream is to see them play World Cup."