India to make its mark in another 10 years: Colaco

New Delhi: Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals may be a distant dream for India but AIFF secretary

Alberto Colaco is optimistic that the country will make its mark in the international football in another 10 years. "I think, in another 10 years we will be able to make our presence felt in world football," Colaco said today. Colaco was present at a felicitation function of the 16 budding footballers, who will get once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a six-day training camp in South Africa. Besides the Coca-Cola International 2010 Football Camp, which is commencing from June 15 in Tuks Village in Pretoria, the team members will also get the taste of the soccer fever there while watching a FIFA World Cup match between the hosts and Uruguay on June 16. The young footballers have been chosen on the basis of their performance in last year`s Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy. During their stay in South Africa the team will play in a tournament, also involving teams from Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Egypt, and Guatemala. "I would like to congratulate the 16 selected players and wish them all the best for participating in the camp in South Africa. This partnership with Coca-Cola will help the young players and also play a key role in encouraging them to adopt football as a preferred sport," Colaco said. "We are happy to send these 16 young and talented players to South Africa. We believe that Indian football has the potential to make a mark in global arena but for that it is important to tap and nurture the talents," said Atul Singh, CEO and president of Coca-Cola India. Suhas SN of Bangalore, a member of the team, was quite excited to be a part of the camp. "Our selection procedure was very tough. But now I am very happy because we are going to represent India," said the 15-year-old. "I congratulate them because this is the first time Coca- Cola has taken this initiative and the under-16 boys are going to watch the FIFA World Cup," said Satheevan Balan, who will accompany the boys in South Africa. PTI