Shyam Thapa quits TFA

Jamshedpur: Technical advisor of Tata Football Academy (TFA) and ace footballer Shyam Thapa quit the

academy today saying he did not have much work to do. "The TFA has excellent infrastructure and coaches and I do not have much to do," Thapa, who joined the academy four months ago, told a press conference here. Thapa, who was part of the Asian Games bronze-winning Indian team in 1970 in Japan, lauded the facilities at TFA, which has produced talented footballers during the last two decades. He, however, offered a word of advice, saying, "TFA should think of the future rather than merely flaunt its past achievements. It will face competititon from foreign players and TFA coaches should focus on identifying talent and train them." He also asked TFA to provide more exposure to junior cadets. Asked about his future plans, Thapa, who had played for giants East Bengal, Mohun Bagan besides Mafatlal in his heydays, said he would prefer to promote football in the hill areas of north Bengal and work with the proposed football academy of East Bengal in Kolkata. The infrastructure of East Bengal`s football academy, to be set up in Jadavpur was almost ready and he had held discussions with the club authorities. Bureau Report