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Indian Youth Soccer Academy – Mumbai
Report by IndianFootball.Com Mumbai correspondent
The Indian Youth Soccer Academy – Mumbai arranged a very impressive and highly successful training cum practice camp for kids of varying ages, in and around the city. This was highlighted by the fact that around 100 children turned up, despite this period being the peak of exam season, and Easter weekend, both of which are very good excuses for kids to do other things than football.
The kids were required, if possible, to turn up at the picturesque Priyadarshini Park, on Napean Sea Road, at 9:00 am. Most of them did so, despite many of them living way out in the Mumbai suburbs, from where it undoubtedly would have been a long commute. The kids had a lot of fun, visible from the fact that most of them continued training and playing till 3:00 pm, well into the hot Mumbai afternoon.
The kids were appropriately divided into four categories, among which they trained and played. These groups were – Under 8s (Midgets – Black (boys)/Yellow(girls)), Under 12s (Juniors - Whites), Under 14s (Intermediates - Reds), and Seniors (Blue). This added feature of coloured jerseys of the various groups, in addition to helping out with the management and organization of the camp, added to the spectacle to a certain extent.
Upon arrival, the kids in their various groups conducted many different training exercises, to hone their skill a bit, before the commencement of friendly rivalries among themselves. The ground was divided into four equal quadrants, where the four groups trained and played. All the necessary training accessories, like appropriately sized movable goals, cones, training pull-overs, etc., were present in more than adequate numbers. Most importantly, there was a football for every person. To beat off the on-setting Mumbai heat, the kids could replenish their energy with readily available energy-drinks and water.
The kids in all the different groups, trained enthusiastically, and displayed great eagerness in following instructions. Watching the "Midgets", some of whom were as young as 5 years, train in such an organized and attentive fashion, was most impressive and pleasing. That showed the kids were really enjoying it out there, in the open, among many like themselves. Each group was handled by two coaches, and this ensured adequate supervision and advice. After an hour or so of preparation, the groups had football matches among themselves. These matches were played in great earnest, and it was fantastic to see the co-ordination, teamwork, and understanding displayed by the kids among their respective teams. Almost all kids, when approached for their view of the IYSA, were full of praise for it. In fact, all of them would have liked that this event occurred more often, rather than on a solitary Sunday, so that they could enjoy even more. Nirvan Shah pointed out that they too would like to organize it with a greater frequency, but for that more sponsors needed to be forthcoming, and that IYSA was working on it.
Upon observing the kids, your correspondent noted a couple of outrageously talented players. And they were only 9 and 12 years old. One wondered whether they would have become superstars, had they been in a country where football was truly worshipped. Let's hope India can find a way to make real gems out of them. These two were very eager to someday have the opportunity to represent their country, and play in a highly competitive league for a world-class team. Who knows, with the right nurturing, they just might.
After the first round of matches, the kids were handed their lunch packets, to recharge their batteries, and have a small break in the heat. This break didn't last long, as they rushed to play with a football, upon hurriedly eating their lunch. They really wanted to play. After lunch, a further round of matches were conducted within the groups. Then, those who wanted to brave the heat, of which there were many, played among themselves, in some inter-mixed groups too. The coaches too had a small match among themselves, and quite a few of the kids were asked to join in to fill up the teams. Your correspondent too was invited to play, but duly came off at half time, obviously unable to match the skills of the players. But it was fun. Some kids even managed to embarrass the coaches on a few occasions, which was all taken in good humour.
It was a very successful event. Everybody left extremely satisfied. Let's hope the IYSA – Mumbai can build on this, and truly contribute to the development of football in India over the long term.
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