The deal to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup in India has already been signed between All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Federation de Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Many feel that this is a golden opportunity for India to embrace the world’s most popular sport like never before. Apart from preparing the infrastructure for hosting the games, it is extremely important that the crowds get to root behind a competitive team. Both the factors would determine the success rate of the event.
A strong show in the event will help the country believe that it has the talent to compete in world football and will win the hearts and minds of the young generation, believes Manchester United Academy coach and club’s Education and Business Development Manager, lami Sonola, who was here with his coaching team to find 11 talented youngsters. The selected players will get an opportunity to train at the club’s academy in England under the Airtel Rising Stars programme.
“Continuous investment and promotion of the game would be important for better infrastructure of the game in India. Coach education and access to facilities would also be necessary. Maximising the interest from a tournament and continuously supporting football at all levels from grass-root to national setup would also benefit the game,” Sonola told The Pioneer in an email interview.
“Hosting a major youth tournament will create further interest in the game of football in India. This will inspire the next generation of football players in the country,” he puts his views on the importance of hosting a big event.
During the two days of final trial that took place under the supervision of Sonola and his colleagues Kevin O’Connell, Dave Chapman and Adam Hilton, they focused on four key areas to select players.
“We selected these boys by looking at four key areas to assess and identify players through this unique programme of Airtel India. Firstly we looked at the technical ability of the player followed by the physical attributes. These two elements were measured by skill based sessions and physical based sessions. We then concentrated on the social areas of a player which include communication skills, leadership skills and body language. Finally, we worked on the psychological aspects — the player’s make up, determination, belief and winning mentality. They are talented kids,” he said.
The selected players are Arka Dey and Rajib Roy from Kolkata, Md. Aqib and Karan Khurana from Delhi, Premchand Singh (GoalKeeper) and Niraj Singh from Bangalore, Sanath Valldares and Akram Khan from Mumbai, Rakesh K. from Hyderabad, liston Colaco and Jolitan Dias from Goa.
Focusing more on the sport would divert a boy’s interest in studies but the coach believes that for any person to grow as a human being, education is must.
“Education is key to any development of individuals and sportspersons. At Manchester United all players go through an education programme, the Manchester United Foundation works with young people to inspire potential and fulfill dreams and this is done through education. If you possess knowledge, you are able to respect others which will enable a positive attitude and behavior to others and the authorities,” the UEFA A level coach said.
The coach reckons that due to two massively popular sports like cricket and hockey, football hasn’t expanded deeply in India.
“Asia has a huge following in other sports and India is no different, cricket and hockey are massive sports with a large following, it is a religion in some parts.... so seeing football grow at the pace it is can only be positive to the region. Moreover, to have a major tournament coming to India is a reflection on how the sport is growing which can only help in encouraging further participation to the game of football,” Sonola, who also have experience of working with Manchester City and Fulham, said.