TEAM HERALD

 

PANJIM: The establishment LFC International Football Academy -- DSK Shivajians is the result of an introspection after DSK Shivajians Football Club failed to yield desirable results in the 2nd Division I-League last season.

Going back to the boardroom, the heads at DSK Shivajians Football Club brainstormed on the path it should pave towards fulfilling its dream of building a strong and quality football club worthy of I-League honours and beyond.  And so it was decided to build from the base of the football pyramid. 

And after exploring around DSK Shivajians shook hands with Liverpool Football Club (LFC) International Football Academy to establish the first of its kind international club residential academy, the LFC International Football Academy -- DSK Shivajians. 

DSK Shivajians Sports Club, which was formed in 1987 went through a transformation to meet the criteria of AFC Club Licensing and was named DSK Shivanjians FC in 2010 so as to enable participation as a professional club in the I-League. The club has dominated all major tournaments in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. They are the current champions of Pune Super Division League. 

The international football academy is being set-up as a feeder line for its professional football club DSK Shivajians FC. Liverpool FC will be providing technical inputs through the LFC International Football Academy and work has already begun in this direction.

But why under -17 and under-19 and not younger age groups? Would not moulding of boys from this age group be difficult? CEO Ardeshir Jeejeebhoy disclosed that the academy would definitely look at younger age groups in the near future. 

“At the moment only those who have successfully completed their Std Xth, are eligible to participate. Only in very exceptional cases we may accommodate 14 years old. There is the emotional factor that we will have to mentor to.  We will be constantly keeping in touch and updating the parents of their boys,” Jeejeebhoy informed Herald.

Both Ardeshir Jeejeebhoy and General Manager Amit Vanjari, are in Goa to scout for possible trainees along with Liverpool FC International Football Academy coaches for the LFC Academy -- DSK Shivajians, which will come up in Pune later this year.

Trials have been held in Aizwal (Mizoram) and Shillong which have evoked good response while the Goa exercise begins tomorrow (Friday) and will move to Delhi, Mumbai and culminate in Pune. 

But why only Goa, Mumbai, and Delhi and not Kolkata, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu or Punjab, who have produced stars in the yesteryears. “India is a huge nation and the logistics for an academy that will finally house only 64 trainees  across both categories – the under-17 and under-19, is big in the initial year. We will definitely broad base scouting for talents to other States, over a period of time, as you know every State is culturally diverse. Players need to jell together,” Jeejebhoy said.

Spelling out the academy’s objectives, Jeejeebhoy pointed out that the academy aims to providing budding football stars across India with the best environment and world class facilities at the academy. 

“The ultimate goal is to produce quality footballers who can compete on an international stage as well as develop them to play at the junior and national level.” 

The growth of players both on and off the field at the academy will be in a safe and secure learning environment focusing on player’s education by an AFC D License coaching course structure. Apart from all this, education seminars will be provided on sports marketing, governance and regulation along with education assistance, tutorials in select subjects to support them as the players will be from a very diverse group.

Academy programme is for students of two age groups:

- U-19: U-19: Born on or between May 31, 1996 and June 1, 1997.

- U-17: Born on or between May 31, 1998 and June 1, 1999.

The Academy is well-equipped to provide the best facilities which include a state-of-the-art gymnasium, swimming pool, lecture theatre and medical facilities. The new setup on the DSK International Campus also includes assistant coaches, physio-therapists and kit men. There will be two new football pitches; one will be artificial 4G which will allow the players to continue their training in extreme weather conditions while the other will be a natural turf. 

The accommodation facilities are second to none with a room provided for each player along with all other necessary amenities including food and laundry services. 

The DSK Group has pulled out all the stops to make this academy one of the best in the country, with an investment of Rs 50 crore. Apart from their training, facilities to pursue academics will also be made available.

General Manager Amit Vanjari disclosed that those selected will go through an initial training programme and will than be subjected to advance scientific development. 

“The inmates will be also insured. The boys on passing out are free either to play for our club or any Indian club including international clubs,” stated Jeejeebhoy, pointing out that with regards to transfer fees its upto  the AIFF to deal with.