KOLKATA: The Indian Football Association (IFA) has announced that 10 futsal academies will be built across West Bengal to promote the game at the grassroots level.
The locations chosen for the academies include Salt Lake stadium, Dum Dum, New Alipore, Garia, Chinar Park, Baisakhi, Salt Lake and New Town.
Joydeep Mukherjee, secretary, IFA, said: “We are serious about promoting futsal in Bengal in a professional dimension.”
Subrata Dutta, sr. vice president AIFF, added: “Futsal has not been given its due importance by all the state associations. IFA has taken a commendable development project of Futsal Academies and I am sure Bengal will be the best futsal playing state in coming years.”
Sunando Dhar, AIFF CEO – League & Development, commented: “Proindia has been promoting futsal amongst grassroots and underprivileged. Joydeep’s vision with Aparup’s dedication will take IFA Futsal to the next level.”
Miguel Andres, 5-times UEFA Futsal Championship winner & erstwhile FC Barcelona futsal coach has been appointed chief mentor of the IFA Futsal Academy.
To support the domestic coaches, IFA has partnered with a Spanish Online Coaches Education platform. All IFA Futsal Projects are being supported by Proindia.
IFA Futsal Academy has also included the following international coaches to develop Bengal futsal:
Michael Petro – coach, Iran National Futsal Team.
Lino Gomes – head coach, Bahrain National Futsal Team.
Martin Perciavalle – UEFA Futsal B, UEFA Football B, Ireland.
Silvio Crisari – head coach, Norway National Team.
IFA Futsal Academy will ultimately help in developing more Futsal Players so that we can have our best team to participate in national level competitions on well as domestic leagues. Team IFA hopes to take Futsal to the next level.
Futsal pathways:
IFA Futsal Academy- Spanish Methodology for skill development
Opportunity to participate in IFA Futsal Tournaments
Privilege to participate in other State Futsal Tournaments for exposure
Talented players will be scouted by different Futsal Clubs to play in the AIFF Club
Championships.
Talented players will be scouted by AIFF to be in the Probable “Indian Futsal National Team”.
Football pathways:
IFA Futsal Academy will participate in the IFA approved Youth Football Tournaments.
Participants can be scouted by different Football Clubs for either AIFF u13 Youth
Leagues or IFA u13 Nursery Leagues once they turn 10/11 years.
They can be scouted by different Football Clubs for either AIFF u15 Youth Leagues or
IFA u15 Nursery Leagues once they turn 13/14 years.
Talented u16 and above players will be sent to trials of different Division Football Clubs under IFA.
