PANAJI
Goa Football Development Council chairman, member-secretary and technical in-charge have praised their Residential Academy trainee and talented midfielder, Harsh Patre on the Churchill Bros player’s selection for India U-16 probables camp.
Harsh is the lone Goan player to have been shortlisted to be a part of the selection trials for the India U-16 team which will go on to participate in the AFC Championship 2018 scheduled to be held in Malaysia.
Chairman Dr Rufino Monteiro is confident that Harsh would be able to make a place for himself in the Indian U-16 team. “I have seen him training from grassroots right up to the academy. I have great aspiration from this boy who I feel will make it great in the years to come. He has made a place in the hearts of his team-mates and Goans with his dead-ball brilliance,” stated Dr Rufino.
While Member Secretary, Aleixo Da Costa expressed happiness and shock, saying: “Harsh has been shortlisted for the selection trials, but the others like him who must have also played well in the appropriate age-group, have been overshadowed by the blunt and rampant practice of fielding overage players by clubs from the AIFF. I am unable to understand how AIFF could conclude the U-15 league without taking a decision on the protest filed by Churchill Brothers-GFDC team. Although the protest was filed within the time limit and appropriate fees paid.”
The 15-year-old Harsh is currently training under GFDC Technical In-Charge and Residential Academy coach, Derryl D’souza. He was earlier coached by Robert Fernandes and Pradip Chopdekar. “Harsh has a very good vision, creativity in passing and good reading of the game. I wish him all the best for his trials ahead with the Indian team,” stated Derryl.
