The All India Football Federation (AIFF) today announced the launch of ‘Kick Off’, an innovative talent spotting and development programme in the state of Goa in collaboration with telecom majors Bharti Airtel. The programme has been designed using the expertise of Manchester United Soccer Schools’ (MUSS), football coaching programmes. The seven-day programme from 27 October to 2 November will provide the opportunity for Goan youngsters to undertake a series of skills tests at the Nehru Stadium in Goa. The first four days of the program will see individual players and school groups, aged between 10 and 16 years, taking part in dribbling and ball control exercises under test conditions.A coaching team from Manchester United Soccer Schools will supervise the programme, assisted by former United player and the head of Manchester United Youth Academy Brian McClaire. The initiative will be supported by Goa Football Association, Department of Sports in Goa and the Sports Authority of Goa. “I am delighted to welcome children to take part in our initiative. We are also delighted to welcome Manchester United Soccer Schools to India. We wish the children every success,” said Alberto Colaco, AIFF general secretary. The excitement about the event is already palpable in Goa. GFA secretary Savio Messias said: “The response has been overwhelming. Over 5,500 children have sent in applications to enter the testing programme, from every nook and corner of Goa — from Bicholim to Canacona.”From each of the initial four days of the program, a small group of the most talented players will be selected to attend intensive training from October 31to November 2. They will take part in a series of coaching sessions and games — the objective being the identification of talented young players capable of playing high quality, and technically sound football. A few players from the select group will even get the opportunity to go to the MUSS residential football school in the UK in 2008. The AIFF has already formed a coordination committee to give shape to the vision.
