MARGAO
Former East Bengal footballers Cavin Lobo and Luis Barreto have been devoting time to giving back to the community, providing a platform with coaching methodologies for talented young footballers.
The footballers have come together in a first of its kind initiative to boost youth football and create a robust system to improve football from the grassroots in South Goa at South Goa United Football and Cultural Club at Empire Sports Arena, Nuvem. Both boys and girls in under-8, under-10, under-12 and under-16 categories will train at the club.
“Our vision is to provide a chance to train and aim to play professionally for these youngsters. This is the perfect project as we bring the scientific football training to produce best players who will go on to represent clubs and the country to pursue their football dreams,” Lobo said.
South Goa United will commence their training at the under-12 level and will field an under-14 team next season in the GFA age-group tournament. They also plan to play in the elite leagues in the next six to eight years.
“I have to mention Alvito D'Cunha and Joaquim Abranches with whom I got in touch. We always talk about what kind of work we want to do and help society and the community,” Lobo said. “They both will visit the academy where talented young footballers can hone their talent under the right guidance,” Lobo said.
South Goa United have appointed Clifford Chukwuma as head coach. The Nigerian had worked with the duo at Sporting Clube de Goa before they moved to the Red and Golds.
“I want to give the children an opportunity to focus solely on their football and team skills. The project will give impetus to the students and to take everyone to go to school and excel in football. This is a herculean task and we are ready for it,” Chukwuma said.
Bibiano Fernandes, coach of the national under-16 football team, said that he is ready to share the technical know-how and hopes that more academies will come up to get notice on the Asian level and more Goans players will represent the country. Fernandes will help the coaches to upgrade their coaching licences.
The training will start on September 1 at Empire Sports Arena, Nuvem. They will open their other centre at Canacona.
