From Our Correspondent
TURA: Indian football star Baichung Bhutia said that his upcoming sports academy could provide the best of facilities and training to the selected players from Garo Hills.”The academy will provide high standard of training with the best coaches available. I see no reason why talented players from Garo Hills should miss out on such an opportunity,” remarked Bhutia while expressing his willingness to give technical advice to the P A Sangma Foundation’s sports academy for football.
The former captain also stressed upon the need for proper infrastructure to promote the game.
“Unless emphasis is laid on proper infrastructure and organizing youth development programmes, football cannot do well at the national level,” he said.
The former captain of the national team and the most sought after Indian player in the international soccer arena was in Tura for the first time to witness the finals of the Tura MP Cup tournament which was played on Friday afternoon before a capacity crowd.
Speaking to The Shillong Times during the match, Bhutia was all praise for the enthusiastic crowd that flocked into the stadium to watch the game and the star.
“There is a lot of passion for the game and you can see the enthusiasm from both the players and the spectators” a pleased Baichung Bhutia remarked.
Giving tips on improving the game, which is a favourite with the people of the north-east, the star of Indian football impressed on the need for the state authorities and soccer clubs to get involved if at all they wish to see talented players rise to stardom.
“You need to have youth development programs and proper sporting infrastructure. Talented players need to be groomed at an early age and proper training will get out the best in them,” advised Baichung.
He added that it is never too late to start and said that focus must be on the children. The former Indian captain was also appreciative of the sports academy of P A Sangma Foundation for taking up football for the youth in this corner of the country.