PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa has promoted their young promising striker Akeraj Martins by inducting the lad into the senior team.
Akeraj created history after becoming the first player to graduate to the senior side after representing all Sporting Clube’s age group academy under-14, 16, 18, 19 and U-20 teams.
After signing the professional terms with his boyhood club at the headquarters, here, he said, “My dream is finally turning into reality. I will work hard in training and take my opportunities when they come.”
Akeraj turned 18 just a fortnight ago and could become the youngest player to don the Flaming Oranje jersey when the Goa Pro League kicks off next month.
“Akeraj has shown tremendous maturity over the years which allowed the club to let him play with an older age group to keep challenging him and continue his long term development. He has also captained the various teams right up to the U-19 I-League on numerous occasions,” stated Sporting Clube’s Manager Angelo Albuquerque.
Akeraj hails from Don Paula and studies at Don Bosco, Panjim which has made his transition through the SCG ranks a smooth one. He fondly remembers coming to school as a youngster and watching the Sporting Clube senior team train on a daily basis which inspired him to reach for the stars.
For school, he has won lot of silver-wares and trained under the dedicated PE teacher Francis Raposa, who thought him the fundamentals of football and discipline. The highlight for Akeraj was winning the Mir Iqbal Hussein U-15 trophy.
Apart from Sporting Clube de Goa, Akeraj also follows Manchester United in the English Premier League and his favourite player is mercurial Wayne Rooney. Although, not the biggest of the players, but surely makes up for it with his explosiveness and eye for goal.
Akeraj has proudly represented the State at various National age group competitions and has also played in the GFA First Division League with Panjim Footballers after helping them come up from the Third tier of Goan football.
“The club is delighted with Akeraj’s progress having been with us right from the start of his career. We are happy that our Youth Development Programme is starting to bear fruit and also fulfilling our President Peter Vaz’s aspirations of promoting Goan talent,” commented Sporting Clube de Goa’s CEO Victor Fernandes.
“We are hoping Akeraj can become a role model for more students to transform their passion into a profession and play for Sporting Clube de Goa,” stated Don Bosco Principal Fr Avin Carvalho.
