Goa 9 April 2015: FC Goa’s Grassroots development programme which commenced a few months ago saw FC Goa reaching out to over 20,000 children and actively mentoring and coaching over 1500students from 16 schools in the sport of football. Now, around 25 of Goa’s most promising footballers between the age of 11 and 13 will be offered an opportunity to train with the very best coaches at the Reliance Foundation Young Champs national selection camp in May – a training and selection camp organised by the Reliance Foundation.

(L-R) Gavin Araujo, Head of Coaching Officer Devlopment, FC Goa, Piet Hubers, Techincal Director Grassroots, Indian Super League and Rahul Raichand, Chief Marketing Officer, FC Goa interacting with the media

The first-ever Reliance Foundation Young Champs Scholarship Program – a nationwide search for the country’s next footballing stars is underway and will culminate in Mumbai next month. Approximately 25 shortlisted players from each of the eight franchisee clubs will participate in the week-long Reliance Foundation Young Champs national selection camp to be held in Mumbai in May. Of the 200 shortlisted players participating in the said selection camp, around 25 players will be selected to receive a Reliance Foundation Young Champs Scholarship.

In continuation with its commitment to encourage and support football, FC Goa organised the FC Goa Grassroots Football Festival for children between the age of 11 and 13 years, at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Sunday.

Piet Hubers, Technical Director Grassroots, Indian Super League was down in Goa to scout for potential talent at the grassroots festival.

Over the last three months FC Goa’s Grassroots Coach, Gavin Araujo, an AFC A license Coach has been working closely with Goa’s young talented footballers. Gavin has been an excellent footballer and has captained Goa at the U-16, U-19 and U-21 age groups with a long playing stint at Vasco SC. Gavin has been supported by a team of 4 assistant coaches and 8 grassroots coaches, besides 16 physical education teachers from the respective schools inducted in the programme.

The festival on Thursday under FC Goa’s Grassroots Development Programme saw 200selected footballers from 16 schools spread all across Goa, participating in the festival. The objective of the festival is to select about 25 children in the age group of 11 – 13 years who will participate in Reliance Foundation Young Champs selection camp.

Mr.Shrinivas Dempo, CMD of Dempo Group of Companies and Co-Owner of FC Goa, said “The enthusiasm and interest in the sport of football is what drives us to invest in it. Football has always come before everything else. We at FC Goa are committed to elevate the sport of football to a whole new level. FC Goa’s grassroots initiative has been born with the intent to give birth to rising stars in Goa and we are certain that we will make that happen.”

Added Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, MD of V M Salgaocar and Company and Co-Owner of FC Goa, “We all shared a common dream – to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country. Developing the game of football is an integral part of the continued success of FC Goa and we are committed to making it happen. Over the past months the club has been engaged in an impact oriented grassroots development programme. FC Goa has a bright future and we are working tirelessly towards it.”

Added Piet Hubers, Technical Director Grassroots, HISL on the talent at the grassroots festival, “Ever since I have been involved with football In India, I have consistently heard that Goa is one state with immense talent. Today, some of that talent was definitely on show and I am thrilled to see such potential in such young children. As long as we can create a strong sustainable grassroots structure in Goa, I am confident that FC Goa can produce some outstanding players. “. Piet Hubers was formerly the football technical manager for the Royal Dutch Football Association and is currently a technical instructor for grassroots for the UEFA in addition to being the technical director of grassroots for the Hero Indian Super League.
FC Goa youth programme coaches organised a well laid out ground plan and SAG supported the event by providing excellent facilities for participants and viewers alike.

Tags: FC Goa, Football, Grassroots Development Programme, Indian Super League, ISL, Reliance Foundation, Reliance Foundation Young Champs