Salgaocar FC launch third edition of annual Community Outreach Program amidst much fanfare

Salgaocar FC launched the third edition of it’s annual Community Outreach Program at a colourful opening, amidst much fanfare and a carnival-like atmosphere at the Chicalim Panchayat Ground earlier today. Around 600 girls and boys in the age group of 6-11 years dressed in their football kits and accompanied by extremely enthusiastic parents braved the hot sun to ensure they were not going to miss out on the first day of what promises to be a year of fun-filled and football-centric Sundays.

This year’s edition is scheduled to extend until March 2016. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Swati Salgaocar (Vice President – Youth Development, Salgaocar FC) said, “We at Salgaocar FC have always believed that grassroots development is the only way forward for football in India.

“It is said that to become a professional football player, you need to train for 10,000 hours and if you work out the maths, you will see that this can only happen if you start by the age of 5 or 6. Even if a child is not interested in football as a career, the skills of teamwork, fitness and leadership help create better citizens for the future.”

She went on to add, “We started our Community Outreach Program 2 years ago as an extension of our Youth Development efforts. I have to say that we have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support we have received from our community here in Vasco.

“Despite the heat, the distractions of TV and video games for kids, all of you turn up in large numbers, Sunday after Sunday. Thank you for reaffirming our beliefs and making this program a great success.”

The kids are trained by the club’s highly qualified and experienced coaches and first team players. The club has around 40 coaches that are involved in the program. Given that the children look up to some of the first tem players as role models and watch them in action when taken to the club’s home I-League games, it is extremely motivational for them to turn up every Sunday and share the field with their heroes.

The basics of the ‘beautiful game’ are imparted to these budding footballers using techniques that are both fun and engrossing. The most talented boys will find their way into the club’s renowned youth development system.

Speaking on the occasion, Head Coach Malcolm Thomson had words of encouragement for the budding footballers and urged the children to work hard and give it their best in everything they did, be it in school or on the football pitch.

The launch concluded with the dignitaries unveiling the club’s official Fan Merchandise. The kids were then divided into groups and played small-sided games with the training sessions starting next Sunday.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Adlear D’Cruz (General Secretary, Salgaocar FC), Mr. Sanjiv Nagvenkar (Manager, Salgaocar FC) and all of the club’s first team and junior team coaches and players.