Soccer training camp at Jorhat

Jorhat, Apr 28(ANI): A weeklong Advanced Soccer Coaching Camp, aimed at promoting football talent of the northeast, is underway at Jorhat.

Though just 15 years of age, the boys are focused to play for the country.

"I have been fond of playing football since my childhood. I wish to take the Indian team to the FIFA World Cup and win it," Raju Saha, a participant from Nagaon District of Assam said.

Football is a passion for most young men in the region. Be it rural or urban areas, the youth here wants to emulate the likes of Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chettri. Most of them, however, do not get the platform to harness their potential.

The camp has some of the best trainers from the northeast like Jose Tavares, Tuireisem Khamrang and Kishore Taid from United Sikkim Football Academy and Baichung Bhutia Soccer Academy.

"I think northeast part of India is the best in football. I have trained many students in Northeast, Delhi, and Mumbai. So India is not just cricket but you guys have lots of potential here," Jose Tavares, coach, United Sikkim Football Club, said.

The camp, sponsored by the Small Tea Growers Association, Jorhat, provides an opportunity to the financially weak youth who want to pursue football as a career.

The Assam government is supporting soccer players as more and more youth opt for it as a career. Recently the Chief Minister felicitated the sub junior football team that won the national level championship after a gap of 30 years.

At the end of the camp, six top players will be chosen and trained free of cost at the United Sikkim Football Club.(ANI)