TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: “Develop proper mindset in children and the rest will follow. It is very important to first train the mind and then teach learning skills. Battles are won or lost in the head first. With such an approach you will be able to mould our youngsters into budding footballers in the years to come. And then you have roles models in Armando Colaco, Savio Medeira, Mauricio Afonso and Brahamanand Sancoalcar to take it to its logical conclusion,” stated Fr Kinley D’Cruz, Rector, Don Bosco Engineering College (Fatorda) at the inauguration of the course for administrators and coaches participating in Grassroots Football Development Project for boys and girls 8-10 initiated by Salcete Football Club at Don Bosco hall, Fatorda, Friday.
Fr Kinley congratulated the organizers for launching the innovative programme which is the launching pad for producing future stars. “The project is in the right hands and we look forward for bright stars to emerge one day,” he added.
Bro James Marcus, chairman of the coordination committee lauded Salcete FC for the splendid initiative and appealed to the administrators and coaches to be patient, disciplined in dealing with young minds, always radiating love.
Former national coach Armando Colaco whilst pointing out that he alongwith Savio and Mauricio owed their basics to Salcete FC stressed on the need to nurture talent properly since this is a delicate developmental programme. “It has three components – fun and enjoyment, games coordination, running with the ball; passing, shooting and dribbling; small sided games. It’s a delicate scheme giving particular stress on how to receive and control the ball, use of both legs, coordination movements which will call for extra efforts from the coaches who need to be very simple in their methodology with fun in mind, as children must enjoy what they are doing,” explained Armando.
Alberto Colaco, former AIFF general secretary, who is the brain behind the project, dealt with standard operating procedures to be adopted uniformly at nine centres – Don Bosco, Margao; Navelim, Chichinim, Varca, Curtorim, Sao Jose de Areal, Chandor, Raia and Ambelim/Assolna. “We need dedicated administrators who will keep track of every activity at the centre and will be responsible for the organizational aspect, besides inculcation of human values. Three weekly sessions will be held with adequate breaks in between with uniform procedure to be followed at each centre. Our aim is not only to mould children from the football angle, but use the holistic approach which includes inculcation of good habits, self discipline so as to improve the child’s behavior, nutritional advice,” disclosed Alberto.
“The administrative work will be handled by Agnelo Mascarenhas, Gromiko Fernandes and Genevive Colaco, who will also build the database of all the participants. After the vacations, the programme will be carried forward, round the year, with at least three festivals planned in between. Every centre will be provided with first aid kit and all administrators and coaches trained in Emergency Aid, to tackle injuries. The programme will be reviewed at regular intervals so as to obtain the feedback from the administrators, coaches and even parents and adopt corrective measures, if need be, since this a community-based approach,” remarked Alberto.
“I-League teams – Dempo, Salgaocar, Churchill Bros and individuals like Avertano Furtado, Benjamin D’Silva, Armando Colaco, Joe Dias, Mauricio Almeida have already pledged their support for the project and help is also expected from SAG, DSYA, GFA, GFDC who have already been approached. The GFA has already committed their full backing to the project since 20 grassroots festivals will be organised by All India Football Federation across the country in conjunction with the celebrations of the AFC Grassroots Year 2013 and Grassroots Day which falls on May 15,” pointed out Alberto who added that after reviewing the progress new centres could be admitted in October.
Addressing the administrators, Jovito Lopes, ex-GFA member highlighted the importance of carrying out the programme in a professional manner, with passion and with everyone working in a unified manner as together everyone achieves more (TEAM). He also dealt with some management techniques needed to be incorporated in the plan of operations.
Goa’s first National supercross and motocross champion Alan Sequeira, who made it to the venue to compliment Salcete FC for taking the initiative, observed that it is only through such well articulated programmes that our country can hope to produce stars who could eventually propel India to higher rungs in world football rankings. “There is bright hope and I want both my sons to be inducted into the programme,” he added. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” he added.
Later, Savio, Armando, Mauricio and Brahmanand conducted a coaching session for the coaches. The course will continue tomorrow. The activities at various centres will start either on May 1 or May 4.
