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The inaugural Aircel Lajong Soccer Camp concluded on Monday, December 31 at the FIFA Artificial Turf in Polo Ground, Shillong. The final location of the camps saw a turnout of over 280 budding footballers below the age of 13 years. The seven camps conducted by UEFA ‘A’ Licence Coach John Godbold saw over 1,600 kids from different parts of Meghalaya participating in daily two sessions – morning and afternoon.The camp was jointly conducted by John Godbold and SLFC’s Coaching Staff in as many as seven venues, which included Mawlai, Bhoirymbong, Mairang, Mylliem, Sohra, Jowai and Shillong.
Speaking about the camps in all seven places, John Godbold said that the response from the people has been amazing and it was heartening that more than 1,600 boys participated in the soccer camp.
“The attitude of the boys was excellent. They listened, watched, concentrated and worked really hard. I’m impressed by the young people here who showed great agility, balance and coordination.”
He also said that, “the local people also helped us organise the camps and also made sure that we had the right facility and they also helped us in the registration process.”
The 47-year old coaching expert added, “It is clear that the most important aspect to improve the players is to get good quality coaching and getting better technical understanding.”
“It is crucial to learn and understand that it takes 10,000 hours of purposeful practice in order to become the very best.”
A one day Coaching Clinic for Coaches was also organised by Shillong Lajong FC while John Godbold was in Shillong. “The coaching clinic was based on helping the coaches to understand that they are teachers of the game. It is very important that they have a better understanding of how their players learn and this will help the coaches to provide the purposeful practice.”
Shillong Lajong’s coaching staff and the junior boys from the academy also played a big role throughout the camp. They taught a lot of football skills and gave technical training to the kids who participated in the soccer camp.
Football Scouts from the club also took the names of some of the talented boys who caught the Scouts’ eyes through their talent and ability.
For the young kids across venues, it was indeed an experience worth cherishing their whole lifetime, as they got to train under a quality coach, got to meet and interact with their favourite Shillong Lajong FC players, but more importantly, they got to learn the tricks and trades of the Beautiful game that is football.
