Two sons of sex workers from India's eastern state of West Bengal will play soccer in Mexico this October, said Durbar Mahila Samannaya Committee (DMSC), a non-governmental organization Sunday.

The two boys left the state capital Kolkata on Sunday for New Delhi from where they will board a flight to New York and then proceed to Mexico.

The boys have been selected in the Indian soccer team for the Homeless World Soccer Cup 2012 in Mexico.

Quiet and shy, Surojit Bhattacharya looks like any other introvert teenager. Only his eyes speak of the hardship the boy has undergone in the 16 years of his life in the red light area of Sonagachi, one of the oldest and famous in the world. But his eyes light up in excitement when talking about soccer.

"Soccer has helped me channel my pain, frustration and anger in a positive way. I am excited about the prospect of playing on an international platform," said Surojit.

The boy has already represented West Bengal in the under-16 national tournament held in Bangalore this year.

Like Surojit, life has taken a different turn for Mohammad Salauddin after the 17-year-old took up soccer. Growing up in the congested red light area of Kidderpore has always been tough for the teenager.

As a child, Salauddin used to dribble a football in the narrow by-lanes of the red light area whenever he was disturbed. Over the years, football became his soulmate. His talent was recognized a few years ago and he was selected in Soccer XI, a team organized by a city level tournament.

"As a child I used to get shaky due to the stigma attached to the children of sex workers. DMSC dragged me out of that shame and stigma. In fact, I am proud of my mother because she took up the profession to feed us. Now I want to focus on football and show the world that children of sex workers also can do it," said Salauddin.

Apart from honing their soccer skills, DMSC has also ensured that they do not drop out of school. The boys were trained extensively at the grounds of Rahul Vidya Niketan at Baruipur, a residential school for children of sex workers.

"Both the boys are wonderful strikers and keen learners," said their coach Biswajit Majumder.

"This is a big achievement in integrating children of sex workers with the mainstream sports community," said Dr Samarjit Jana of DMSC.