Reds enter the town

McMahon,who is well known to Indian football fans as an expert analyst,said it was the passion and commitment for the sport in the country which made him come up with the idea of establishing an academy.

”I have been associated with this part of the world for the last four-five years. I approached my former club and they seemed to be interested too,” said McMahon. “There has to be a development programme for the aspiring kids,teaching them the right way. And if even one of the kids from this academy makes a mark at the international level it will be a big achievement.”

McMahon’s fellow pundit Paul Masefield will join him on the coaching staff at the academy. And while no admissions to the academy had taken place yet,McMahon said that he expected around 500 boys and girls between the ages of eight to 16 to turn up once the academy commenced operations in October. With the school not exactly located in the middle of the city,McMahon said that a residential option was also being worked out. Keeping in mind the large numbers of students expected,McMahon added that training of suitable local coaches alongside those from Liverpool would also be carried out.

According to Liverpool FC Soccer School ambassador Steven Turner,the club has got a huge fan base in Asia,including India,and the launch of a Liverpool academy in the country is a way to bring a part of the club to Indian fans. The move into Delhi is only the first of a series of steps the club plans to take in India. “By 2012 we are looking to open at least four such schools across the country including in Kolkata and Goa,” said Turner. And while the trainees in Delhi are likely to be local,Turner says Liverpool will also be scouting for talent for their other centers. He also informed that while the academy will charge students they were looking to provide scholarships to talented youngsters. “It is just the beginning,” said McMahon.

McMahon admitted,however,that the venture was unlikely to return profits.”Money is not the issue. We are not here for making money and if there is any profit it will be put into the development of infrastructure. The basic idea is to build a strong foundation and to help the youngsters grow properly,” he insisted. “The club will be investing its time and efforts in the upbringing of the sport in India and if we come across a talent,which deserves international exposure,we will put forward his case,” he said.

Also present at the launch was Ian Rush,the top goalscorer in Liverpool history. Acknowledging the mountain that had to be climbed,he simultaneously encouraged any prospective Indian footballers. “We know how famous India is for cricket,maybe one day there will be a famous footballer too,” he said.