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Comment: Doing It The JCT Way
Goal.com finds out what makes JCT, a special club indeed...
22-Oct-2009 10:21:08 AM
A couple of weeks back, Bob Houghton spoke of how the clubs
in India need to spend a part of their budget on youth development, which would
go on not only to help the club but the nation as a whole as the talent pool
increases.
He stated that how the clubs are ready to pay obscene amount of money to get the services of certain players in order to win the I-League. However, in the long run, such a selfish attitude doesn’t benefit the game in the country by any chance.
While the clubs may find it hard to digest but deep down their hearts, they know that what’s being spoken is so true. By not focussing on developing the U-16 and the U-19’s, the clubs only have to depend on the transfer market for players which again isn’t very benefitting to them as well.
From The Cantera Did I Rise
Internationally, you have all the clubs having an academy from where they have a steady flow of talent. You have heard of the famous ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ which had the likes of the Neville Brothers, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and others. Barcelona have their own ‘Cantera’ which has produced Lionel Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and so on.
In India, JCT is a club who are known to have a similar concept, if not the same. If you look at JCT’s transfer spending each year, it isn’t one of the best. They lag behind the Mohun Bagans, East Bengals, Dempos, etc. But a proper structure at the club ensures that they have solid foundation which helps them even in times of global recession.
It was back in 1993, when a college coach asked Sukhwinder Singh to look at some of their players. The club recruited a few of them on a stipend of Rs. 500 and it was in the Federation Cup of 1995 season that one of the players, Ram Paul shined and was named the Most Promising Player. The following year, the club benefitted from another player who made it into their first team in Hardeep Saini, who currently plays for Chirag United.
It was this success which inspired the club to think of a set-up which will take care of their need for players each season.
“Our success with the boys – Ram Paul and Hardeep Saini, encouraged us to have a structure where we benefit every year. The idea developed and we pushed for it.
“Moreover our club president, Samir Thapar is directly involved in this process which makes it easier for us,” explained JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh.
JCT have tied-up with Guru Nanak College, Phagwara in what must serve as a role model for the clubs in India.
“The college takes care of the fees, education and the hostel while we maintain the ground, give coaching and ensure that the boys get quality food,” he elaborated.
The boys of the JCT Academy represent the club in the U-19 tournaments and amongst those who mature are given an opportunity to play for the college team.
JCT believe in the philosophy of Sir Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United manager, who believed that if a player is good enough he is old enough. Once a player does exceptionally well on the youth platforms, he is recruited in the JCT team.
This only goes to show the belief the club has on their academy boys and yes, many of them have caught the eye of Bob Houghton. One can safely bet that in future, along with the players from the north east, it will be players from this part of the country who will form the crux of the national set-up.
From Youth Ranks To I-League
“In our current team, we have Jaspal Singh, Sarabjeet Singh, Baldeep Junior, Balwant Singh, Jagpreet Singh and a couple more from JCT Academy. In several other clubs like Salgaocar and Pune FC, players from our Academy are playing."
Unfortunately in India, not many have even considered of replicating the JCT model let alone having something along the same lines.
“I feel that you can have at least three to four such structures in every state. It’s possible but at the end of the day, it’s all about the desire to do and whether you believe in the project,” said former India national coach.
Do I need to say more?!
Rahul Bali.
What Do You Think? Shouldn't The Other I-League Clubs Follow In JCT's Footsteps?
He stated that how the clubs are ready to pay obscene amount of money to get the services of certain players in order to win the I-League. However, in the long run, such a selfish attitude doesn’t benefit the game in the country by any chance.
While the clubs may find it hard to digest but deep down their hearts, they know that what’s being spoken is so true. By not focussing on developing the U-16 and the U-19’s, the clubs only have to depend on the transfer market for players which again isn’t very benefitting to them as well.
From The Cantera Did I Rise
Internationally, you have all the clubs having an academy from where they have a steady flow of talent. You have heard of the famous ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ which had the likes of the Neville Brothers, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and others. Barcelona have their own ‘Cantera’ which has produced Lionel Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and so on.
In India, JCT is a club who are known to have a similar concept, if not the same. If you look at JCT’s transfer spending each year, it isn’t one of the best. They lag behind the Mohun Bagans, East Bengals, Dempos, etc. But a proper structure at the club ensures that they have solid foundation which helps them even in times of global recession.
It was back in 1993, when a college coach asked Sukhwinder Singh to look at some of their players. The club recruited a few of them on a stipend of Rs. 500 and it was in the Federation Cup of 1995 season that one of the players, Ram Paul shined and was named the Most Promising Player. The following year, the club benefitted from another player who made it into their first team in Hardeep Saini, who currently plays for Chirag United.
It was this success which inspired the club to think of a set-up which will take care of their need for players each season.
“Our success with the boys – Ram Paul and Hardeep Saini, encouraged us to have a structure where we benefit every year. The idea developed and we pushed for it.
“Moreover our club president, Samir Thapar is directly involved in this process which makes it easier for us,” explained JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh.
JCT have tied-up with Guru Nanak College, Phagwara in what must serve as a role model for the clubs in India.
“The college takes care of the fees, education and the hostel while we maintain the ground, give coaching and ensure that the boys get quality food,” he elaborated.
The boys of the JCT Academy represent the club in the U-19 tournaments and amongst those who mature are given an opportunity to play for the college team.
JCT believe in the philosophy of Sir Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United manager, who believed that if a player is good enough he is old enough. Once a player does exceptionally well on the youth platforms, he is recruited in the JCT team.
This only goes to show the belief the club has on their academy boys and yes, many of them have caught the eye of Bob Houghton. One can safely bet that in future, along with the players from the north east, it will be players from this part of the country who will form the crux of the national set-up.
From Youth Ranks To I-League
“In our current team, we have Jaspal Singh, Sarabjeet Singh, Baldeep Junior, Balwant Singh, Jagpreet Singh and a couple more from JCT Academy. In several other clubs like Salgaocar and Pune FC, players from our Academy are playing."
Unfortunately in India, not many have even considered of replicating the JCT model let alone having something along the same lines.
“I feel that you can have at least three to four such structures in every state. It’s possible but at the end of the day, it’s all about the desire to do and whether you believe in the project,” said former India national coach.
Do I need to say more?!
Rahul Bali.
What Do You Think? Shouldn't The Other I-League Clubs Follow In JCT's Footsteps?
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