Oct 25: English premiership giant Manchester United in association with All India Football Federation (AIFF) and cellular giants Bharti Airtel announced the launch of their new project ‘Kick-Off’, a pioneering talent identification and development programme, to explore bulk of youth soccer talent in Goa.
The project is designed under the expert guidance of Manchetser United Soccer Schools (MUSS) world famous football coaching programme.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco said that the mega pilot project, which has been launched in India, is the most ambitious of its kind to and around 5500 children across the Goan state would be screened and assessed by experts from Manchester.
“I am delighted to welcome children to take part in the ‘Kick Off’ initiative on behalf of AIFF,” Colaco stated.
“We have a bold vision for the future of football in India and this exciting scheme will only help to accelerate our progress on world stage,” Colaco added.
“The AIFF is most appreciative of the support shown by the Goa government and by Bharti Airtel as both parties share our vision for the future and our belief in the opportunity to improve the standards of Indian football. We wish the children taking part in the talent search every success, in what should be a memorable experience for them,” Colaco said.
A special coordination committee has been formed under the supervision of the Director of Sports, Goa, Susana D’Souza and the ‘Kick Off’ programme will hold an open trial to test the skills from October 27- November 2 in Goa.
A coaching team from MUSS will overlook the programme, assisted by Brian McClair, Head of Manchester United’s Youth Academy.
According to Manu Talwar, CEO Bharti Airtel, Maharashtra and Goa, said that the project has been funded by the generosity of Bharti Airtel and that the company’s chairman Sunil Mittal was very excited in relation to his new association with football.
“Bharti Airtel is proud to be associated with the ‘Kick Off’. Football is the most popular sport in the world and this outstanding initiative will go a long way in promoting a rich football and sporting culture in Goa as we believe that talent exists in Goa and we need to identify and nurture it through such initiatives,” Talwar added.
The talent search programme will commence on October 27 at Nehru stadium, Fatorda where school students in the age group of 10-16 will be put through mass testing on the opening four days in morning and evening sessions.
Thereafter, the second phase of training for the selected players will take place on October 31, November 1 and 2. The three days is to finalise the 12 promising and upcoming footballers, who will undergo a week-long residential training at the Manchester Soccer school next summer under expert coaches, revealed by Dale Hobson, MUSS director international development.
He also confirmed that two Goan coaches would also accompany the 12 footballers to England at the end of final selection.
Meanwhile, IMG, the international sports marketing agency and event Management Company will oversee the project for its booming future in the coming years.
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