NEW DELHI: Despite the pandemic taking a huge toll around the world, 330 boys and children and adolescents from the most disadvantaged communities in the Indian city of Anantapur are continuing to enjoy and learn from the values of football. This is thanks to the collaboration agreement between LaLiga, the LaLiga Foundation and the Vicente Ferrer Foundation for the fifth consecutive year to support the sports programme developed by the Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA).
Due to the organisers’ efforts it has been possible to adapt the different activities planned within the framework of the 2020/2021 season agreement and organize a training programme for 29 young people from the area. Through this, ASA coaches have shared experiences, promoted the exchange of ideas on training, methodologies and knowledge necessary for playing the best possible football, in addition to conveying the positive values associated with sport in general and football in particular.
As for the sporting aspect of the initiative, several mixed-sex football competitions were held in January, in which there were a total of 274 participants from U-7 and U-9 age groups, all complying with current health regulations. Likewise, as part of the activities included within the non-residential academy, 36 boys and girls were selected to play in different leagues, in addition to participating in training sessions given by the academy and skills coaches that will promote their personal development in their everyday lives off-the-pitch.
The Anantapur Sports Academy was launched in 2000 with the aim of promoting the values and habits associated with playing sport, and since then 9,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 16 have participated in this project.
For Sai Krishna, the director of the Anantapur Sports Academy, “the most difficult challenge has been integrating girls into sports activities,” he remarked. “In Anantapur nobody played sports, yet right now 45% of the participants are girls. We are seeing a paradigm shift and a change in mentality necessary to achieve a culture of peace and equality.”
Uma Devi, who is a participant in the non-residential girls’ academy, believes that “many parents don’t allow their daughters to play football, but my parents have. I would love to inspire other girls in my town and I want to be an example for them.” She added that “I have been selected for the fifth time to participate in the Anantapur Sports Academy non-residential camp, and since I’ve arrived here, my skills have improved. We work on discipline and teamwork. Football is a team game, and each person on the team has a purpose and they are all important.”
