Team Herald
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PANJIM: The Youth Development squad of Dempo Sports Club was felicitated on the account of qualifying for the next phase of the AIFF Youth Leagues at Dempo House, Panjim, on Saturday.
Addressing the media, Srinivas Dempo said, “I think the hardwork put in and the passion shown makes us realise that the investment in the academy was a good decision.”
“I’d like to congratulate the parents, with sports not being a priority in this country, they took the courage to show faith in our academy, and look what that has done,” he added.
Dempo Sports Club Youth Development, since October 2019 across all age groups, have picked up a staggering 44 wins in 46 games, keeping 33 clean-sheets and averaged an astounding 4 goals per game, a testament to the attacking style of play the club is trying to implement.
“Our dream has just begun and to go from one end to your dream take a lot of hard work, lot of passion, life is not easy but we have to overcome these challenges, I’d like to thank all the coaches Mario, Anthony, Remus, Pradeep, Vaman and Alex it’s their work on and off the field that brings us the results we want,” Srinivas further added.
“My dream and vision is to see 50% of the national team to comprise of Dempo boys and for this, these boys have pass through the ranks of the competitive system to get into the upper echelons of Indian football, 3-5 years down the line, it would be great if one of the boys could get into the competitive league system. All you need to do is breathe, eat and sleep football”, he said to the boys.
Anju Thurambekar, the club’s Technical Director addressed the players saying that, “I’m very proud of everyone, the hardwork they have put in, the commitment they have shown every single day, the kind of dedication they’ve shown this season and the collective efforts, pushed themselves”
“Every single day we get up, push ourselves harder, to learn, to develop so that we can make ya’ll better players and human beings. We also want to thank everyone responsible behind the qualification for the final round and for giving us the motivation and the dream to work harder as you are going to bump shoulders with the best at the national level”
“We can excel in the future AFC and FIFA competitions!” she exclaimed.
With the club already sitting with 2 state trophies and already qualified for the next phase of the AIFF Youth League across all age groups, the club’s objectives are far from being accomplished as they are looking to push in the AIFF Youth Leagues and bring glory to the Dempo name.
“An artificial turf will be set-up next year, so that the players will have two grounds to go about their training. Gym facilities will be improved, a proper nutrition plan will be provided to the players given by nutrition experts so they get the best meal plan. Today football is science, the boys need to be looked after. The Goans are used to their staple diet of fish curry and rice but that doesn’t work. Sacrifices have to be made when you’re passionate about something, focus on football,” announced Srinivas Dempo.
“We want Goans to succeed in the national level, there was a time in Indian Football where most of the team included Goans, now it’s been 50 years since India’s qualified for the World Cup! When everything is settled for the boys, we’re looking forward to setting up a women’s team in the future,” he concluded.
