HYDERABAD: Taking forward a collaboration agreement the LaLiga Foundation signed in February with the Fundación Vicente Ferrer (FVF), aimed at promoting football among young people from the most disadvantaged communities in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district, Real Betis women’s team captain Irene Guerrero conducted a three-day clinic for young female players and coaches.
The collaboration also has the stated aim to establish mechanisms and systems for the promotion of individual and collective talent in India.
The Liga de Fútbol de Anantapur or Anantapur Football League (AFL) is a rural grassroots competition organised by the Anantapur Sport Academy (managed by the FVF), since the 2014-2015 season.
Notably, Spain’s top sporting icons such as tennis champion Rafael Nadal and motorcycle racer Jorge Lorenzo have extended their support to the foundation’s cause through setting up academies or spending time with the children there.
Guerrero commented on the tour and this initiative.
“As professional players, I believe it is our responsibility to support the development of young talent. The initiative by La Liga Foundation will fuel the passion of young players in Anantapur and build skills that will help them become the stars of tomorrow. Having fun is the most important factor in their development, but meeting a professional reminds kids that we are just ordinary people and that with hard work and dedication they too can forge a career in the game,” she told Times of India.
The newspaper reported that she, alongside LaLiga officials, had also distributed training equipment to footballers. The long-term vision of this joint initiative is to provide nearly 2,000 girls and boys in the age groups of 9 and 19 in the region, an opportunity to play football.
Jose Antonio Cachaza, country manager India, LaLiga, was quoted as saying: “Our support to RDT’s women’s football programme is about helping shape the lives of thousands of girls from 20 mandals in Anantapur through football. La Liga is the best league in the world with some of the greatest players and teams, but we also take our responsibilities at grassroots level seriously, La Liga is committed to the children of Anantapur. We have seen Jorge Lorenzo and Rafael Nadal extend their support to the Foundation in the past and we are extremely pleased to carry forward the legacy.”
“Through this partnership, we will be able to bring football closer to girls and boys in the rural regions of Anantapur. Every child has the right to play and we are committed to providing children with the opportunity to participate and enjoy the benefits of playing sports,” Moncho Ferrer, programme director of Rural Development Trust (RDT), FVF’s Indian arm added.
Since its formation, the AFL has been growing both in the number of participating clubs and in stages or age groups.
Through the joint initiative between LaLiga and the FVF, around 2,000 boys and girls between 11 and 19 years old have had the opportunity to practice sports and learn, through values such as discipline, self-improvement and team spirit, that will allow them to face the opportunities of the future.
Through the implementation of three programs, the Iberdrola League coaches and coaches, as well as players from some Spanish football clubs, will share their experience with their counterparts in Anantapur, through a series of videos, encouraging the exchange of information on training, methodologies and training necessary for the optimal practice of football, in addition to transmitting the positive values associated with sports in general and football in particular.
Also, different representatives of LaLiga, the women’s football clubs and the FVF will visit Anantapur in the final phase of the project to organise joint activities and learn first-hand about the impact obtained in that Indian community.
Related Report:
LaLiga signs cooperation agreement for football development Anantapur
