Team Herald
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ELLA: The Football Players Association of India in collaboration with Dempo Sports Club organised the AC Milan Grassroots Football Coaching Programme at the Dempo Football Academy, here, Old Goa, recently.
The initiative, supported by Optimax Aces, Events Unlimited, Bhaichung Bhutia, and the Embassy of Italy, marks a significant milestone in promoting grassroots football and fostering India-Italy sporting cooperation.
As part of the pilot programme launched by FPAI, six centers across India were identified to promote grassroots development, with Goa chosen as a focal hub for football excellence. The week-long coaching session featured expert training led by AC Milan coaches Annachiara Teboni and Luca Vaccari, who mentored young footballers and coaches from Dempo Sports Club’s Academy.
The closing ceremony was graced by several dignitaries including Consul General of Italy in Mumbai Walter Ferrara, top officials from the sporting fraternity Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes, Kapil Kumria (Optimax Aces), AC Milan coaches Annachiara Teboni and Luca Vaccari and Arindam Bhattacharya (mentor).
Also present were Dempo Sports Club President Shrinivas Dempo, Managing Director Yatish Dempo and Armando Colaco, legendary former coach and Dronacharya Awardee, who was felicitated for receiving the prestigious Dronacharya Award this year.
Shrinivas expressed his gratitude and vision for the collaboration, “We are indeed fortunate to have the football academy. And over the last week or 10 days, we have had the expertise of a couple of coaches from AC Milan, which all of you know is one of the world’s most sought-after clubs. India and Italy are two important nations and they are both sporting nations.”
“And one more special event that we had today was to congratulate our former coach Armando Colaco, who has won the prestigious Dronacharya Award this year. It was befitting of the club to acknowledge his services and to express our gratitude for having his leadership in the club being one of the best-known clubs and the most respected clubs in the country,” he added.
The closing ceremony also included acknowledgments to the AC Milan coaching delegation and all partners who contributed to the success of the initiative. The young footballers of the Dempo Academy were recognised for their dedication and discipline throughout the training.
