Goal.com

31-Oct-2011 5:26:00 PM

WIFA zeroes down upon the first venue for the FIFA-AIFF Academy in India…

Western India Football Association (WIFA) have decided on Father Agnel’s School at Vashi, which has all the required ingredients with regards to infrastructure, as the first venue for the proposed FIFA-AIFF residential academy.

“Maharashtra has always been at the forefront of supplying quality players to the Indian National team. By hosting the FIFA-AIFF academy in Maharashtra, local players would be provided with a never before opportunity to fulfill their dreams of donning the National colours.

“The facilities provided by Father Agnel’s are top class and most conducive for such an academy. The young footballers would thrive in such an environment and blossom eventually into top class players,” said Henry Menezes, WIFA CEO.

Elaborating on the facilities to be offered by Father Agnel’s, Menezes added, “for this residential academy, Father Agnel’s has agreed to provide boarding and lodging for the selected players at their hostel, the use of the gymnasium and swimming pool, besides their classrooms for technical sessions. They also will put at the academies disposal two practice pitches (one artificial turf & one natural grass) and provide quality education to the selected footballers.”

Dutchman Rob Baan, the Technical Director of these FIFA-AIFF residential academies, appointed by AIFF, along with Kushal Das, (AIFF General Secretary), Henry Menezes (CEO, WIFA) and Souter Vaz (WIFA General Secretary) will further visit Father Agnel’s November 9 to conduct a final inspection of the facilities on offer and provide their stamp of approval.

According to Menezes, 30 kids under the age of 14 would be inducted full time into the academy every two years. FIFA-AIFF would appoint full time officials (coaches and management) to overlook the day to day running of the academy.

According to AIFF Gen Secretary, similar academies are scheduled to also come up in Delhi NCR, Kolkata and Bangalore. He further added that these residential academies are scheduled to begin by March 31^st 2012, in time for the commencement of the new schools season of 2012.

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