A 'Cinderella' story for young Cebuano booter

CEBU, Philippines - A young football player turned into a “Cinderella man” with a happy ending.

That is the story of Canduman’s Kent Andrew Lavides, who got a new spikes shoes from a “fairy Godfather” in Graeme MacKinnon, an Australian national but a Cebuano at heart.

Thanks to a photo of Lavides that landed at the sports section of The Freeman during the 8th Thirsty Cup at the Cebu City Sports Center wherein the sole of Lavides’ soccer shoes was almost detached.

“When I saw the picture, I really felt sorry for the boy,” said MacKinnon, who was honored in the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame for his selfless dedication to the development of football in Cebu when he was still based here some years back.

Luckily, MacKinnon brought some used boots from Australia in his latest visit here and Lavides benefited from it.

“I looked for him at their practice in Consolacion last Sunday. It was like a footballer's Cinderella story,” MacKinnon added.

That is because the mother of Lavides tried a couple of pairs for his son until they found the “slipper” that fitted to the young player.

Lavides now plays football more confidently and happily 'ever after'. (FREEMAN)