BHUBANESWAR 18-Apr-2015 40
If Sheikh Mustakin, Pankaj Sona, Rajat Nag, Seikh Rohit and Bilal Khan are counted as five quality footballers of Odisha, a lion`s share of the credit should go to Tata Steel and Unit-VI Athletic Association, a city-based leding football club. While the club spotted their talent through grassroots-level tournaments, the steel giants nurtured them by providing long-term coaching and exposure at Jamshedpur-based Tata Football Academy (TFA).
It all started a decade ago when a group of young football talents from Odisha were sent to TFA by the club to sharpen their skills through a short-term coaching programme there. The programme, which became an annual affair, has since benefited over 200 young footballers, among whom the above-mentioned five are now established names, playing for leading clubs of the country, respective states and employers.
Hopes were naturally high among another 20 boys when they left here yesterday to undergo a two-week-long training stint at TFA. According to Unit-VI Athletic Association vice-president and former Odisha goalkeeper, the boys will hone their skills under the guidance of English club Sheffield United FC coach Gordon Young and TFA coach P Vijay Kumar. ``I am looking forward to learn a lot at TFA and become a professional footballer in the future,`` said Ranjan Mukhi, one of three boys picked from Phulbani district.
``It`s an excellent opportunity for me to improve my game. I am eager to do well and get selected as a long-term trainee of TFA. My ultimate dream is to play for my country,`` stated local boy Prakash Nayak on the occasion of a send-off ceremony, organised jointly by Unit-VI Athletic Association and Tata Steel.
PLAYERS FOR TFA STINT: Bikash Kumar Sahu, Rakesh Kumar Sahu, Anil Samal, Narayan Samal, Abinash Pradhan, Tapan Singh, Chiranjeev Sekhar Behera, Narayan Swain (all Cuttack); Bijaya Mukhi, Ranjan Mukhi, Golak Bihari Pradhan (all Phulbani); Prakash Nayak, Bijay Kumar Barik (both Bhubaneswar); Bibhu Ranjan Champati, Papun Naik (both Khurda); Rakesh (Nayagarh), John David (Balasore), Suryakanta Naik (Keonjhar); Rajat Rout (Kendrapara), Mahendra Jali (Balugaon). Coach: Rameswar Parhi, Manager: Ashish Pradhan. (Courtesy: The New Indian Express)
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PHOTO: Young football talents with Unit-VI and Tata Steel officials at the send-off ceremony in Bhubaneswar on April 16, 2015.
