PANJIM: Harsh Patre (midfielder) and Frevino Fernandes (goalkeeper) from the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) Residential Academy, Margao have been selected to represent the India men’s team in U-15 SAFF Championship which will take place from October 25 to November 3, at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The duo had attended a trial camp for the National team from September 27 at KIIT University Guest House Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Chairman of GFDC, Dr. Rufino Monteiro expressed happiness over this news. “I am happy that two of our boys have been selected for the National U-15 football team. Three more trainees had attended the training at Odisha and have been called back for a further training and look in for the U-15 National team. All these boys have been with us at the grassroots centres from the start and then made a cut to get into our Residential Academy team. This grassroots programme will unearth many more jewels from the mines of Goan football,” said Dr. Rufino.
Both the boys were training under the guidance of Academy Head Coach and Technical In charge of GFDC, Derryl D’Souza.
The father of Harsh Patre displayed immense happiness and was overjoyed that his son has found a place for himself in the India U-15 team. He also thanked GFDC for the coaching and apt platform provided to his son to hone his footballing skills. “I feel proud that my son has done it. It is like a dream come true for the family and Goa. He has always been very hard working and deserves to make it big. He should continue to play with the same momentum,” said Shailesh Patre with tears of joy.
While Derryl D’Souza also praised the efforts and dedication put in by the boys during training. “There is no substitute for hard work. This is just the beginning,” he said.
