AJIT JOHN
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PANJIM: There is no doubt about the talent. Now, Ulysse de Vergie Fernandes, all of 15 had been selected to be part of the FC Porto U-17squad in Portugal.
This French national of Goan descent will be leaving on August 16, from Goa to make his initial steps in the big world of professional football.
A player on the left wing, he has been playing for the last eight years. He started playing in Goa in his first team which was the Green Meadow School in Saligao. At a young age, he stood out with his propensity to score goals.
For this, he received an award in the Little Goa’s league. His love for the game came after he watched his dad and cousin playing the game. Interested, he joined them and soon learned the basics. He was attracted by the mesmerising skills of his favourite player Lionel Messi.
He said, “Even though he is getting old he is still very good.”
The credo of any young player is practice. Ulysses practices everyday to shoot and he goes for a jog to work on his stamina. He was candid when he said, “I would like to go to France and play. Right now I am selected for the U-17 squad. It does not guarantee me a place in the first squad. I have to show them my skills and justify my place. I don’t see myself coming back to Goa.”
On the selection process, he said that he had to train with the squad for a week and they ran several statistics and gauged him.
He admitted he was a bit nervous because he knew it was a big step for his career. When asked what he had to work on he said he would have to work and get to know his distractions and work harder.
Ulysses, who was born in Paris in 2009 has a long way to go. His father Gilbert, a restaurateur in Morjim is very proud of his son.
He said this step was taken after his club in Goa, Dempo Sports Club informed him that since he was a Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) he would not be able to play in the national league.
Gilbert, his French wife and his son flew to Andorra and were introduced to the owners of Inter Escalade but the problem was that the school instruction was in Spanish.
He was then instructed by the Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes to go to FC Porto.
He met the concerned person and Ulysse practiced for two weeks with FC Porto. They found that he had potential and gave him the ok.
Gilbert said they also found an international school to finish his Class X education. It helps in such a demanding atmosphere. He is a good student who scores A Plus in all his subjects. His potential also came to the fore when he would go to camp in the summer in France which was organised by former French international Dominique Rocheteau. He received the best player’s award for two summer camps. He will be accompanied by his mother on his trip to FC Porto.
