By F Ahmed

Srinagar, April 13 (IANS) Two of his pet dogs were poisoned one after the other in January. Then he started getting threatening calls asking him to leave the Kashmir Valley. But Argentine football coach Juan Marcos Troia, who has trained nearly 1,500 local boys, has no intention of quitting Kashmir.

Marcos says he knows who his tormentors are -- and he is ready to forgive them.

"First, my two pet dogs were poisoned and later I got these threatening calls," Troia told IANS.

"I do not reveal names though I know them very well. I love Kashmir and the people here, and I am continuing my work with the support of the locals."

The 34-year-old is hopeful that the worst would soon be over and he would be able to train more and more Kashmiri youths for international football.

"I hope and pray the matter ends here. I see great potential in the Kashmiri youth. Nobody must deny them their right place in the field of international sports," he said.

Since 2007, when Marcos came here with his Brazilian wife Priscilla, he has trained around 1,500 Kashmiri boys. Some have already found entry into international football clubs of repute.

"Two, Musadiq Mehraj and Mir Abdul Hanan, have got entry into the Marilia football club in Sao Paulo. We have been able to train boys from club championship to super division in just three years.

"It normally takes much longer for clubs to achieve this feat. I attribute this to the talent of the Kashmiri boys. They are stronger, taller and have good physical balance because they eat a lot of mutton and vegetables. They learn things much faster," Marcos said, heaping praise on his students.

The coach says his parents and five brothers in Argentina support him -- and want him to be in Kashmir.

"All of them support our work in Kashmir as long as we are happy here.

"I am here for football. I love the people whose support continues to be with me. The (state) government has limited resources, such as playfields, and even then they completely support my effort."

Marcos believes the special talent he discovered among the Kashmiri youth is not restricted to cities and towns.

"In villages of the valley, the youths have a natural gift for better football. I am trying to help them discover their talent," he said.

Interestingly, Marcos never played professional football but started his career as a coach.

"At age 21, after finishing my studies, I joined the football academy in my country to train as a coach. Since then, I have been training youths at various places," he said.

Priscella has always stood by her husband -- even in trying times. "She is a great support. She also loves Kashmir and its people.

"We have this year, so far, organised tournaments in Ganderbal, Badgam, Pulwama and Bandipora. The champions of the tournaments will be invited to play in Srinagar," Marcos said.

Sports lovers and the common man here are all out to support the Argentine coach -- for the good work he is doing.

"Marcos is training my son and hundreds like him to play world class football. He is doing a great service to Kashmir. All Kashmiris are on his side," said Abdul Hakim, 50, whose son Arif, 19, is a Marcos student.

Those training under Marcos are even more vocal.

"He is a great inspiration for us. We are on his side and so are thousands and thousands of sports lovers of Kashmir," said Irfan Ahmad, 22.

"We have been telling him to carry on his great work. Allah will always support genuine and honest persons like him."