Grassroots Programs for the development of football and footballers all over India

The Hero Indian Super League has initiated Grassroots Programs for the development of football and footballers all over India. As a part of that initiative, Chennayin FC and LiFFA Trivandrum jointly conducted a grassroots festival at the St. Antony’s Sports Club’s Stadium, Vallavilai, Tamilnadu zone of LiFFA here on 19th and 20th March, 2017.
The festival was attended by young players from Eraimanthurai to Pozhiyoor. There were 850 participants showing great enthusiasm to learn about the basics of the beautiful game. The festival was conducted by LiFFA Trivandrum’s technical director, Cleofas Alex and Coach Fredy Jose, Chennaiyin FC Coordinator, Sakthi along with several other coaches and volunteers, under the supervision of LiFFA Asst. Director Rev. Fr. Rajeesh Babu at Vallavilai. The participants were in the age group of 10-14 and the kids were given a demonstration of various skills and drills. Then the participants were given a chance to try out those drills and each of them had a great time.
A pet project of the Indian Super League (ISL), the programme aims to identify and develop young kids between the ages of 11 and 14 to nurture them through a residential football scholarship. Chennaiyin FC shortlisted 64 boys from that age group after conducting grassroots festivals and selections all around Tamil Nadu. Tuesday was the final leg of the selection. Local great and former Indian international Sabir was happy with the effort put in by all coaches, volunteers and the young talents.
Chennayin FC shortlisted 16 boys from the coastal region for the Tamil Nadu state trials held at Chennai through this event. Very few players were selected from Tamil Nadu to the RFYS All India Camp held at Mumbai of which 4 players were from this region.
“We will have to wait and see how many of our boys get selected but I feel everybody involved with our grassroots program has worked diligently to ensure we find the right talent and give them the best training possible. LiFFA is a fantastic initiative, giving aspiring young footballers a great platform to learn and develop. We thank LiFFA and their team for their support and guidance and look forward to the final selection list,” Syed Sabir Pasha, Chennaiyin FC Technical Director of grassroots and first team assistant coach stated.