PANJIM: Roque Dias, Regional Director, Sports Authority of India who is looking after the preparation and the clearance of the Indian teams for international competitions paid a visit to the Indian football team preparing to compete in the AFC qualifying under-19 tournament in Doha at the national coaching camp, Margao, Wednesday.
Roque was accompanied by Arjuna Awardee and Administrator of Sesa Academy Bramanand Sankwalkar.
Interacting with the campers, coaches, officials of the All India Football Federation Development Centre, Roque pointed out that SAI had spent around Rs 43 crore in 2012-13 for the preparation of Indian junior teams for the international competitions, out of which Rs 5.39 crore were spent for nine coaching camps and six exposures trips for football sub-juniors, juniors and youth teams.
The budget allocated this year, is Rs 309 lakh, while the federation projected the budget at Rs 16 crore. The same is under negotiation.
The boarding provided for the junior footballers is currently Rs 400 per head per day, and efforts are under consideration to raise the amount to Rs 650.
The provision for lodging of national campers is Rs 1000 per head and field of play is Rs 5,000 while travel entitlement of the campers is 2AC by train.
Roque disclosed that the campers would receive a kit of Rs 10,000 each.
Bramanand in his interaction emphasized on confidence during play and urged them to be focused on their goal, without being distracted. He urged them never to lose their cool and that nothing is impossible till the very last minute. He then gave some tips to the goalkeepers campers.
Colin Toal, India’s National coach made some requests to which Roque assured that he would definitely consider and implement the same shortly after returning to his headquarters. Lovino Goes was also present.
