Soccer Connections launches Ahmedabad chapter

Ahmedabad: In a bid to provide kids a platform to hone their football skills and fine-tune the nuances of the game, Soccer Connections on Monday launched its training programme here.

"The launch signals the advent of world-class soccer training facility in the city and the opportunity to fine-tune thec natural skills and flair of players," Soccer Connections Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Raichand told reporters here. "The experience and expertise of international coaches and rigorous training clinics are expected to provide a boost to budding soccer players and lay the foundation for better quality sports coaching," he added. The training programme will be organised at Eklavya Sports Academy in Thaltej area and Karnavati Club on Sarkhej- Gandhinagar Road, twice a week for three months at the cost of Rs 2,000 per month. Former national player Sayed Ali Abbas Rizvi, Columbian second division player Alexander Espejo Pena, among others, will train children in the age bracket of 3-16 years. After receiving, what they claim to be an overwhelming response from Mumbai and Pune, Soccer Connections began its operations in Chandigarh and Mohali before expanding to Ahmedabad. Raichand stated that because of the European football leagues, the sport has gained popularity in India. "Gujarat, in general, and Ahmedabad, in particular, has great football potential and the state really deserves an I-league team. To tap that talent and give them an opportunity to grow big, we have launched Soccer Connections here," he said when asked the reasons for launching an academy here. Soccer Connections has tied up with Bobby Charlton Soccer and Sports Academy in Manchester, England to provide training to a limited number of children apart from organising camps in collaboration with sports goods giant Adidas. Soccer Connections is a grassroots level initiative undertaken by the Phoenix Sports and Leisure group, a sports and entertainment management firm based in Mumbai. PTI