Training – Football News India

Tata Trusts U Dream Football announces its partnership with Borussia Dortmund

May 11, 2017 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Mumbai, 11^th May 2017: Tata Trusts U Dream Football today announced its ‘Technical’ partnership with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. The partnership with Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany’s most successful clubs, serial winners in both Germany and Europe will, enhance the quality of the Tata Trusts U Dream Football training programme.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the partnership will give the young footballers enrolled in the programme an opportunity to be trained by the Bundesliga side’s Youth Coaches, as also draw from the club’s world class training facilities.

Known widely for their youth development system, Borussia Dortmund has on its roster, top German stars like the current club captain Marcel Schmelzer, his deputy Marco Reus; world-cup winner Mario Gotze; and Christian Pulisic, one of the club’s young stars.

The teams under Tata Trusts U Dream Football program will train with Borussia Dortmund’s youth teams. The aim is to plan competitive games against each other, which will play a key role in the development of the children.

While the young aspirants are training to become top class footballers, they will also get their first taste of professional European football by watching Borussia Dortmund play live from the ‘Yellow Wall’, the largest free-standing grandstand in Europe with a capacity of 25,000. Known for its exhilarating atmosphere, watching a live Bundesliga game from the ‘Yellow Wall’ will certainly be an inspiring experience for the young footballers.

In 2016, Tata Trusts and U Dream Football partnered to use football as a tool for social development in India. The efforts took root in the North East, the region that contributes nearly 50% footballers to both the men and women’s national teams. 35 of North East India’s best young players were selected and began their training programme in January 2017. Now known as the Tata Trusts U Dream Football, the training programme is based in Bitburg, Germany, where the selected talents spend 10 months of the year training under a team of ranked coaches. Each week, the U15 and U17 sides play competitive games against top-ranked youth sides in the region as well as those in Belgium and Luxembourg. This year, both teams combined have played 20 games, winning 15 and losing only 3 games.

“Tata Trusts has a legacy of supporting various sports events and activities since its existence in 1892.” said R Venkatramanan, Managing Trustee Tata Trusts, “Sports has the potential of developing traits such as leadership, learning, sharing, and caring and of course the will to win.Sport is indeed a wonderful unified force to drive social programmes and change. Tata Trusts is privileged to collaborate with U Dream Football and Borsussia Dortmund in this developmental endeavor. Initiative such as these make us proud and encourage us to contribute every day.”

Speaking at the event Ronnie Screwvala, Founder of U Sports said, “Today we reiterate our strong association with Borsussia Dortmund at the grassroot level but also about an overall commitment made by Tata Trusts and U Dream Football for basic football development in the country. We found an incredible partner in Tata Trusts which always thinks scale. U Dream appreciates their quick and unrelenting support to our aim of grooming children in football. Our two focus areas are to position sport as a great career option and make India one of the top 20 football-playing countries in the world.”

Christian Diercks, Lead-Youth Programmes, Dortmund BVB, said, “While the children are motivated to take up football, they are also extensively trained in the German schooling system, which gives them a chance to enhance their education and fulfill a realistic dream. There are also plans of bringing in Indian coaches to Dortmund, which is an intense football capital of the world and give them a chance to meet specialists in their field and exchange ideas on football training. I am happy to have this wonderful opportunity of supporting this endeavor in bringing about a long-term development of young kids.”

In addition to football training, the programme also offers academics and languages, laying focus on the holistic development of each child. Enrolled in Germany’s premier international school, they will pursue their academics under an international school board.

With 48 players currently enrolled in the programme, partnering with Borussia Dortmund will aid development of all those under the programme, as the club will provide constant support and directional guidance. Bundesliga clubs typically incubate between 200-300 players in their development programmes and thus it offers these players an opportunity to join Bundesliga sides as well. The goal of the programme is to ensure that

all enrolled players play professional football, by placing them in clubs across Europe, North America and Asia, including India. As the players’ development progresses, Tata Trusts U Dream Football will provide footballers with opportunities for a trial with leading clubs across Europe.

PIFA – First Indian academy to train at Spanish FA facilities‏

June 9, 2015 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

This summer PIFA organised a football camp to Madrid, their 33^rd international camp. The camp was held from May 18-28, 2015 at the Spanish FA headquarters. The camp included coaching sessions by Spanish UEFA Pro License coach Jose Rico Huerta everyday. The right skills and tactics were inculcated to the players which was tested when they played friendly matches against CDE Amistad de Alcoron U16 & U12 team. The U16 match was won by PIFA 7-3 while the juniors lost valiantly 1-2.

During the camp the campers got a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and museum had the kids excited seeing the changing rooms, the bench, the stadium and the 10 UEFA Champions league trophies. Later, the children were taken on a tour of the beautiful city of Madrid as well as visited the Spanish FA museum.

During the week the campers got to attend the last game of the La Liga season at the Santiago Barnebau, they got to see the one of the wolds best player, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 3 goals in the 7-3 demolition of Getafe FC, a match to remember. The children were also treated to another match, this time an exhibition match between the Real Madrid Legends and Spanish Team legends. The children got to see Hierra and Morientes in action.

However, the best moment of the camp was meeting Spanish Team coach & legend Vincent del Bosque, he was kind enough to spend time with us and gave autographs. The children got to see the Spanish women team as well the U20 men train.

Sadly all good things come to an end; the campers were rewarded with participation certificates from coach Heurto along with lots of memories to cherish.

ABOUT PIFA

Premier India Football academy (PIFA) is a grassroots football development initiative dedicated to raising the bar in football programming across the country. Established in 2003, its objective is “To be the best, train with the best”. In a very short time we have demonstrated success through our organization of the Premier Football League (PFL), Soccer camps and trips to major international football destinations. PIFA has a professional team playing in the Indian National league – I-league 2nd division – PIFA Colaba FC as well as in the Mumbai leagues.

Kerala home to the only FIFA 2-Star certified football field in India

September 22, 2014 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

According to a press note from Great Sports Infra and the wikipedia, Thrissur in Kerala is home to the only football field in India to currently have a FIFA 2-Star certification – the highest rating for artificial turf from FIFA. Kerala has waited far too long for an artificial turf installation. FIFA assisted artificial pitches were being laid across India but some how Kerala kept missing its chances.

Kerala football fraternity is generally elated as Indian Super League team Kerala Blasters have set up the stadium as its training base and a recent friendly with Kerala Police drew a decent crowd.

Press Note from Great Sports Infra : –

The Corporation Stadium in Thrissur, Kerala becomes the only Football field in India to currently have a FIFA 2-Star certification – the highest rating for artificial turf from FIFA. This world-class Football field was conceptualized and planned by the Kerala Government for the upcoming 35^thNational Games to be held from January, 15^th, 2015.

The synthetic turf was imported from the world leader in artificial grass, FieldTurf, USA. This project was meticulously planned, designed, engineered and installed by Great Sports Infra Pvt. Ltd – FieldTurf’s exclusive licensee for Southeast Asia.

The FIFA recommended 2-Star certification is issued after a series of both on-site and lab tests conducted by a FIFA approved laboratory. The on-field tests included vertical ball rebound, angled ball rebound, ball roll, shock absorption, rotational resistance, linear friction and deformation, while the product’s composition and resilience were tested with special equipment in the lab.

“We thank the National Games Secretariat for giving us this opportunity to be part of this prestigious national event. This is one of 5 projects – including two IAAF standard athletic tracks, FIH standard Hockey field and Futsal field – that we are executing for the National Games.” says GSI Managing Director, Mr. Anil Kumar.

“Passing a FIFA 2-Star test is a true testimony to FieldTurf system’s quality, performance and durability. And we complement this with our vast experience and engineering skills in executing these projects as per world-class standards. It’s also good to know that Kerala Blasters (Kochi’s Franchise) for the maiden Indian Super League have set-up their training base at Corporation Stadium, Thrissur.” says GSI Director of Operations, Lt. Col. John K John.

Great Sports Infra has, to date, installed over 100 sports fields in India, including over 15 FIFA standard Football fields, FIH approved hockey fields, IAAF certified athletic tracks, and several indoor & outdoor sports facilities for the government, defence, educational institutions, corporate campuses, residential societies & training academies.

Four Indian Boys Heading To FC METZ

May 2, 2014 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

With youth development of football in India as its main focus, Eric Benny Sports Management earlier this year announced the launch of “My Chance” – a unique football tournament that would identify indigenous grassroot talent and sponsor their training at the French club, FC Metz which is known for producing world class players such as Robert Pires, Emmanuel Adebayor, Miralem Pjanic amongst others.

This one of a kind talent hunt saw over 75 teams from the NCR sweat it out in the age category of Under 13 and Under 15 years. One of the aims of this unique initiative by the former Indian Team Manager, Eric Benny is to not just promote Indian football but also, add to the already existing team of 6 aspiring young Indian footballers who Eric Benny has placed at the French club over the last 2 years. A firm believer of the small sided version of the beautiful game, Eric Benny ensured that talent was spotted with the smaller age playing 4 v 4 and the elder ones playing 7 v 7 with the technical staff from FC Metz on each pitch at the Ambedkar Stadium here in New Delhi. After 3 days of intense short duration games, Eric Benny along with his FC Metz team announced the 4 individual winners of the tournament.

The four boys that were selected to train at FC Metz for a short stint after the 3 days of this unique tournament were: Anand, Rajkumar who were from My Angels Academy, Ramon Bathla from St. Pauls School and Amrendra Tyagi from Sherwood College.

Eric Benny, Chief Executive – Eric Benny Sports Management shared his thoughts on My Chance. “My thoughts and intentions when I announced the initiative earlier this year were clear. I wanted to give those boys a chance who had what it takes to compete alongside other aspiring young boys who come from footballing nations from around the world. It’s easier said than done when someone in India talks about wanting to play in Europe, especially in a club like FC Metz who have one of the best youth development systems in Europe. I would like to thank FC Metz staff and the French Embassy for being a part of this and I appreciate their support in helping me achieve my dream which is to take Indian football to the next stage. These boys who we have selected will go stay at the academy in FC Metz for a period of 3 to 4 weeks where they will not only get the exposure to live and train in an international academy but also realise the importance of how a professional player needs to take care of small aspects such as eating and sleeping right. This is a small step towards bringing the big change towards Indian football”

Denis Schaeffer, Director of Formation- FC Metz Academy who has established a strong relationship with Eric Benny and been to the capital more than once was not shy of making his intentions and observations. He said “When I go back to France this time, I am sure to tell everyone that this trip was more than just a nice weekend in India. It was about finding the right boys who have that hunger to play in Europe. We know that Indian sports is dominated by cricket, and we do not intend to do any harm to that but we believe and we know that the next big thing is football in India and we are glad to be associated with someone such as Eric to help us achieve that.

I have mentioned this a few times before that I am more than happy to come over more than just once or twice a year to find and spot the right talent in India who we at Metz believe can play in a footballing nation such as France”

Alongside Denis Schaeffer was Pierre Gillet, President of the Academy at FC Metz who was in India for the first time and excited to be here. Adding a bit of humour to the air around, he said “This is a very funny moment because my English is not very good”. With the collaboration and My Chance, Pierre shared the same thoughts as Denis. He added “We at Metz believe that this collaboration would only add value to Indian football”

Max Claudet, Cultural Counsellor of the French Embassy, who was also a part of the panel, said “I have always been more than happy to help Eric and his work. We at the Embassy are looking for more ways and ideas to strengthen the Indo-French relationship especially for younger children and when Eric and I spoke a couple of years ago about how he intends to help young Indian boys and girls, we knew that this would be perfect because we believe in the youth. I have not shared this with Eric as of now, but we at the Embassy would be more than happy to help boys or girls who would head to Metz in respect with aspects such as their living abroad or with documentation. We would like to always be a part of this project”.

Eric Benny also took this time to announce the partnership with Mr K.B Chhetri, the Managing Director of Letz Play. Mr K.B Chhetri, father of the Indian national team Captain, Sunil Chhetri said “I am happy to be a part of this unique partnership with Eric Benny Sports Management. What I am also happy to announce is that my son, Sunil Chhetri is more than happy to represent Eric Benny Sports Management and Letz Play making him the brand ambassador for all our future projects and initiatives across the country. Eric Benny believes in developing the youth of this country in football and so do we. I believe that this partnership can only take things forward for Indian football”.