NEW DELHI: Former Indian football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia is one determined man. Apart from his stellar achievements on the field, he is the brains behind the football training program - The Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools - which was inaugurated in 2010 in the capital.
Now the academy has launched its first ever residential school in the campus of the Vedas International School in Greater Gurgaon.
Bhutia’s biggest motivation for this initiative is the potential of Indian children and their desire to pursue football from an early age as a career prospect. This means commitment on a full-time basis. However, Bhutia has ensured that the children do not ignore academics completely, in case they might not be able to fulfil their dream.
To encourage children who don’t hail from a rich background, their talent would be considered entirely to pursue the game through scholarships. Bhutia believes that a lot of work has to be done at the Under-13 and Under-15 levels, considering that the All India Football Federation has started with leagues in that age group across the country. Training at the academy would enable the kids to rub shoulders with the best footballers and get an early experience of competitive football.
Bhutia’s foundation, the Indian Football Foundation was able to nurture six players who went on to play international football for India in the Under-14, Under-17 and the Under-19 categories. According to him, another 10-11 players are featuring in the Indian Super League competition at present. These are the two major successes of his initiative.
The veteran footballer acknowledges that changing India’s football culture is the biggest challenge he faces.
His mission at present is to ensure that children get maximum exposure to the best of football, as he aims to tie up with the Sports Ministry of India in the future.
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