Nandhakumar is a vibrant footballer from Chennai. The son of a former auto rickshaw driver, his father had to stop working due to health issues which left his mother to earn for the family. She began selling snacks outside school premises which provided the family with just Rs. 3000 to 5000 a month. They lived in a tiny house, with used asbestos sheets for a roof. Nandhakumar and his family survived on a single meal every day and he was at the risk of dropping out of school and becoming a child labourer, at the age of 7. That’s when CRY supported project Slum Children Sports Talent Education Development Society (SCSTEDS), identified and motivated him to stay in school by giving him an opportunity to play football.
Over the years, Nandha Kumar has played for various CFA tournaments and was also completed his B.Com at Hindustan University, Chennai with a full scholarship while playing for the Hindustan Eagles. Today, thanks to the support provided by SCSTEDS, Nandha Kumar plays for Delhi Dynamos to play for the Indian Super League.