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Mumbai
Boys in Valencia (Spain)
The World's greatest Soccer Clubs are opening their doors sot that young lads can “Train and Play” with their professionals. The South Kickers Soccer Academy has associated itself with the International Academy UK. It gives an opportunity to reach out to the most famous clubs. For instances, clubs in UK like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Charlton Athletic and Leeds, in Italy
Juventus, in Spain Valencia and Sao Paulo in Brazil. The concept of “Train and Play” actually broadens the scope for the boys and girls. Apart from actualizing the basics of soccer in skills and techniques they are given ample scope to widen their knowledge in the Laws of the Game along with tactics and strategies. It is heartening to know that the captain Darren Caldeira has been selected to play for Mahindra United-Mumbai's top outfit.
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| Jeffrey
Campus |
Walter
Pereira |
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According to the Proprietor of South Kickers Soccer Academy, Jeffery Campus this is an opportunity to realize one's dreams. The International Academy (U.K) and The South Kicker Soccer Academy (India) have now associated to promote in India, the International Tour.
This year the boys had a successful tour to Valencia (Spain). Before their departure, the boys went through a rigorous training session in Goa. A sure test of endurance was running on the entire stretch of the Candolim-Baga beach. The boys were put through various drills, sprinting and overall work-outs. In addition there were also exposed to play friendly matches against the Sports Authority of Goa, and other friendly matches with the Don Bosco School
(U-15) and Sporting de Goa (U-19). The boys were also privileged to watch an inaugural match between Fransa S.C. and Sporting de Goa at the new Calangute soccer stadium.
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The Valencia Club de Futbol was voted “World Club of the Year 2004” and has one of the best training complexes. The boys were put through vigorous overall conditioning programs there. The coaches, players and the administrative staff of this great
club were very welcoming and courteous to the Mumbai boys at all times. They not only appreciated their friendliness but also their warmth, care and their interaction with some of the renowned star players who had done Valencia proud.
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I asked the proprietor, Jeffery as to how this Academy had come about and here's what Jeffery had to say: South Kicker Soccer Academy formed in the year 1998, is a sports promotional and events Management Company that operates under
the banner of JXS Amalgamation and has been promoting youth football in Mumbai ever since. South Kicker began their football coaching programme at PDP for young footballers in the age group of 5-18 years for boys and girls. They began with a number of 12 children and grew up to an amazing number over a two-year span. Thanks to the authorities at the Priyadarshini Sports Complex, Mr. B. A. Desai, Chairman and Mr. Dandavate for supporting this venture.
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We have been conducting various soccer tournaments and camps in and around Maharashtra in an effort to promote youth participation in football and now have gone one step further in our efforts; we can proudly say: “We are the first to take youth soccer internationally.”
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What the coach Walter Pereira had to say?
Goa was chosen as a Training Camp as the climatic conditions are similar to that of Valencia (Spain) in May - it's hot in Spain but not humid and Valencia is on the coast. It was an unexpected experience for me, all these years officiating in India and abroad as a Referee. This has been my best experience not as a referee but as a coach. It is very rare that you pre-select a bunch of boys from different schools, train them for a fortnight and expect them to play as a team, especially after their long break from training due to their final exams. But I must say that this bunch of young and enthusiastic boys were just raring to go and they did prove that they were a complete team on and off the field and I am very proud to have been their coach on this tour. Given time and proper training, these boys will become very competent players.
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My
Point Of View
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It has been an amazing story which gave me a sense of joy when Lance Armstrong from the US won an unprecedented 7th Tour de France bringing down the curtain on one of the most sensational cycling careers ever. The stage started as it has done for the past six years with Armstrong celebrating and wearing the race leader's yellow jersey. One hand on his handlebars, the other holding a flute of champagne, the 33-year-old Texan toasted his team mates as he pedalled into Paris to collect his crown. It was a moment of pride and self-belief when he stood on the podium for the final time in his career. For a man who nine years ago was fighting the dreadful cancer now showing the world that he has achieved the impossible. His remarkable comeback was a sight to behold and now he has become a legend for all other sportspersons. |
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Just the starting of a long drawn campaign Before the Indian cricket team landed in Sri Lanka many cricket lovers expected a revival from the boys in blue. For one thing there were under the guidance and expertise of a renowned coach Greg Chappell, and for another - the West Indies were a depleted side. It was difficult to imagine that India failed to break the jinx of a final once again. A new captain in Rahul Dravid and a new coach in Greg Chappell made no difference to India's fortunes as the side slumped once more to the final of tri-series contest. It was my observation that the Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody was one up in the situation having won the battle of the new Australian coaches. Come to think of it - it was humiliating when the Lankans made a mockery of India's decision to play with five specialist bowlers plundering the tournament's highest score in the final. |
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Chappell was using the opportunity to fit every piece of the Indian cricket team jigsaw in its appropriate place. More importantly Greg's main belief is goal setting in every aspect of the game. I personally feel - the key factor is that he is giving the players a vision and expects them to work in that process to realize this vision. Despite the defeat let's hope that the Tri-Series in Sri Lanka has been a preparatory ground for the Indian cricket team for their tour against Zimbabwe and New Zealand.
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Finally there were two sportswomen that caught my imagination with their brilliant performances - the first being Sania Mirza in Tennis. Once you set a goal you have to work towards it. This is exactly what Sania Mirza had done. Sania predicted that she would break into the first fifty of the WTA by year-end 2005. By some good fortune her dream run has come earlier than expected and I wish her every success in the US Open.
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The second was the tremendous effort that came from Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia when she pole-vaulted into the history books at the London Super Grand Prix and became the first woman to break the five-metre barrier. She is now zooming ahead with a new dimension - so to speak. Her unique performance is being enriched by leveraging technology which enables her to reach new heights and create records. However in India athletes lack such adequate facilities and feel technologically challenged when pitted against top athletes from other countries in world athletic championships.
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