Gurgaon: European champions FC Barcelona wants to “inspire future champions out of young kids” in India, says FCBEscola coach Josep ‘Pep’ Moratalla.
“We have heard of Bhaichung Bhutia but we want to inspire future champions out of these young kids,” Moratalla said today during the club’s football camp here.
The five-day camp, organised by Concient Football, saw youth coaches from Barcelona imparting tips to aspiring footballers at the Heritage school grounds.
Besides coaches from the illustrious club, also present with the kids were some of the well known faces of Indian football.
Climax Lawrance, Gouramangi Singh, Clifford Miranda, Jeje Lalpekhluah and C S Sabeeth, who landed in the capital for the Bhutia’s farewell match against Bayern Munich on January 10, interacted and played with the kids.
The friendly match also involved FC Barcelona coaches, Aleix Gibert Buxeda and Antoni Claveria.
This was the second camp organised by the group, the first being held at the British School in Delhi between December 30 and January 4.
A total of 360 children within the age group of 8 to 17 years are part of the two camps.
The camp also includes 20 girls and 18 children from the economically weaker sections.
Talking to the reporters on the occasion, striker Jeje said the coming of foreign clubs to India will help in raising the profile of the sport in the country.
“These activities will help to raise the profile of the game but the thing is that such events should be organised at more regular intervals,” said Jeje.
Climax endorsed the views of his young India mate but insisted that the infrastructure remains a concern.
“I was just watching some kids getting vital tips from the coach, it was really good to see, but if we want to compete at the highest level then the existing infrastructure has to be made better, particularly the grounds,” Climax said.
“I don’t think Barcelona FC will be able to maintain the same touch on the grounds here,” he pointed out. (PTI)
