Thrissur :

The news that Rino Anto has been scooped up for `90 lakh by Atletico De Kolkata in the ISL auction is something that his parents in Thrissur find hard to digest. “No matter how many times we hear the news, it is still unbelievable,” exclaims Anto T A, father of the 27-year-old Bangalore FC Right Back, who emerged the costliest player in Pool B. The living room of their house at Kalathode is filled to the brim with medals and plaques, a testament to the talent of the sporting youngster.

“We had moved here only 8 years ago. We were based near East Fort and it was in the Palace grounds that Rino first started playing the sport,” said his mother Reena.

Rino is scheduled to arrive from Mumbai on Sunday.

“Right from a very early age, he was attracted to football. Wherever he went, it was essential that he had a ball to play with,” said Anto.

Rino was first educated in Kuriachira St Joseph’s school, following which he spent a year in the Model Boys High school.

At the close of his 11th standard schooling, he was selected to the Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur, where he completed his 12th. Through the years, he has represented Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and Eagles FC. It was after the 2013 Santhosh Trophy that he passed the trials and was selected into the Bangalore FC, where he has been for the past two years.

“He has signed a contract for the next two years at the club. The ISL will end after a few months and he needs to keep in shape,” said Anto.

Rino is the 3rd among four siblings, Rinto the oldest brother and Joseph the youngest.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Vaisakh Hari / July 11th, 2015