Bhutia wants land for Football Academy
PTI, PANAJI | 01 February 2010 21:05 IST
Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia dreams of having his own football academy in future, if any state government is ready to part away with 20 to 30 acres of land for it.
The ace footballer, who was down in Goa to launch the India finals of Nike-Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC), said that academy would be a long term project with great set up.
"Personally, I want to start an academy. I want to have a very-very good academy," Bhutia told reporters at Duler football ground in the presence of Indian striker Sunil Chhetri and All India Football federation (AIFF) General secretary Alberto Colaco.
"It's a dream of every footballer to have his own academy," he said.
The Indian Football Captain said that he can set it up in any state provided he gets the land.
Bhutia said that in Europe, they have youth academies to nurture the young talents while the irony in India is that the best of the football clubs do not have their own infrastructure.
"The clubs like East Bengal, Mohan Bagan, Dempo Sports Club.. they don't even have their own ground," the footballer said. "It's really important that the clubs should have infrastructure," he added.
Talking about MUPC, Bhutia advised that those who will win the finals and go to play with the big teams like Manchester should not lose their confidence when they see huge playgrounds and big players.
"Enjoy the game and play the best for your team," he advised.
The fifth Edition of Nike-MUPC tournament this year saw over 65 U-15 teams participating in it. Eight of them have reached India Finals to be held at Dhuler Football Stadium from February 01 to February 03, 2010, the organizers said.
"Through grassroot initiatives like MUPC, we will continue to provide youngsters an opportunity to express their passion for the sport on a global platform," Colaco reacted during the function held at the ground today to unveil the India final trophy.
It will be better if it is NOT in GOA? .....Because it is going to be a BIG SHAME for our industrialists who RUN FOOTBALL CLUBS? ...in case of GOVT., there is No PROBLEM at all!!! And they will be very happy in GRABING somebody's or communidade property and fill their POCKETS with the funds from Sports Authority. By the way, since so long - what is All India Football Federation General Secretary DOING??? How did HE FEEL after hearing Bhutias statement?