In a bid to get their feet right in soccer field amidst a stranglehold cricket maniac nation, the former English Premier League footballers launched the Premier League’s pioneering coaching project “Premier Skills” in the capital on Monday.
The scheme is aimed to work with youngsters and improve their skills. The multiparty venture will be run here by the cooperation of English Premier League, British Council, All India Football Federation and ESPN-STAR Sports.
Former Newcastle United player Warren Barton alongwith Robbie Earle (Jamaica and Wimbledon) had an hour-long session with Delhi kids during the programme. Premier Skills is one of the Premier League’s first international development projects in India. It was launched in Egypt last year.
They both will be working on a skills programme in India helping out youngsters at the grassroots level with the aim of translating the cricket-frenzy nation to football.
"We want to give something back to the country that has supported the English Premier League over the years," former England and Newcastle defender Warren Barton said.
"Obviously, they have cricket which is strong but football is getting stronger, particularly at the grassroots level.
"It's about giving the kids an opportunity," he said. "They may not go on and play for big English clubs, but they can at least play at a good level in India."
Barton and Robbie are both UEFA qualified coaches. The duo demonstrated their skills to upcoming footballers, teaching them the basics of the football skills
Barton played nearly 400 games for Wimbledon, Newcastle United and Derby County while Earle finished played for almost 600 games and was awarded an MBE in 1999.
‘Premier Skills’ programme will also make use of number of modern training tools to guide the participants in nurturing their game, especially through a CD-ROM that was designed by Dutch coach Michel Mommertz.
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