He will, along with 16 other candidates go on to join the existing crop of talent at the academy in Mumbai.
Naik was put through an extensive screening process, which saw him emerge with the scholarship. Being part of the Goan Football Development Council’s programme, Narendra’s journey began when he was invited to participate at the trials which were conducted by FC Goa. He was one among the 18 to be shortlisted for the camp in Mumbai, where he travelled to, along with other hopefuls under the guidance of FC Goa’s Grassroots Development Director Gavin Araujo.
In Mumbai, the players underwent a challenging programme which encompassed the participants learning valuable football skills and also attending theoretical sessions and seminars. He emerged among the top 17 out of a possible 158 candidates and earned his place at the academy where he will begin his stint on June 15.
A ceremony held at the GFDC office saw him felicitated by the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Ramesh Tawadkar.
Speaking on the occasion, Tawadkar expressed his delight at Goa finally being represented at one of India’s most prestigious academies for young footballing talent. Also present were various members of the football fraternity of Goa, including the Chairman of GFDC Dr Rufino Monteiro, Member Secretary Aleixo Da Costa, and FC Goa’s Chief of Operations Ashley Furtado.
“Narendra has done brilliantly well to make it to the ISL’s Young Champs Academy. We are delighted that we had our part to play in giving Narendra the chance to develop his game which he so richly deserved. We hope he will represent Goa to the best of his abilities and act as an inspiration for future aspirants to make it to the academy. His parents must be very proud of his achievements and I’m sure all of Goa’s footballing fraternity will be keeping a close eye on his progress. The management at FC Goa wish him all the best in his endeavours,” Ashley said.
