As part of their global commitment to support football amongst the youth, British broadcast giant BT Sport are organising a football feast for young footballers in Delhi. Two British footballing legends, Rio Ferdinand & Robbie Savage will arrive in the capital on 9th February 2016 with The Supporters Club, BT’s charitable initiative, and engage in multiple activities involving children including training sessions & interactive events. Both, Ferdinand & Savage, who are ambassadors for BT, will focus on the all round development of children through football, both on & off the field.
Talking about the trip, Ferdinand said “BT, through The Supporters Club, has helped thousands of youngsters to improve their lives through the power of sport around the world, including in India. I have heard lots of the work of the projects we will be visiting in Delhi and can’t wait to meet the youngsters and those who work to support them.”
BT Sport currently enjoys a long-term, successful relationship with Arsenal Football Club, one of the biggest brands in world football, and the latest initiative is aimed at promoting the sport amongst the Indian youth. Arsenal FC already have a strong presence in football training in India, via the IOT – Arsenal Soccer Schools programme, which currently operates in over eight cities across the country. The programme, which teaches its students to ‘Play the Arsenal Way’, is also based on the philosophy of holistic development, focusing equally on technical ability as well as values & life skills.
Ferdinand & Savage will visit an IOT – Arsenal Soccer Schools centre at Pathways School, Gurgaon, where they will conduct an exclusive training session with the young footballers. The training session will be followed by a match between two teams trained by IOT – Arsenal Soccer Schools, Pathways School Gurgaon & Dalhousie Public School, Badhani.
“Rio and myself are going to have a busy week in Delhi, visiting projects backed by BT and making films for the BT Sports TV channel in the UK. I am sure it’s going to be humbling and inspiring in equal measure”, said Savage.
The former international footballers will also meet young people & volunteers involved in Indian football, and immerse themselves in the project, by listening to personal stories of those involved in the sport, over what promises to be a powerful and emotive few days in the capital.
About India On Track
India On Track is one of India’s largest sports development and management companies, which partners with top sporting entities to bring best-in-class sports thinking and philosophy to India. Each partnership focuses on the amalgamation of technical expertise of these leaders in world sport and IOT’s management experience and vision for India.
About Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He played 81 times for the England national football team between 1997 and 2011 and was a member of three World Cup squads. He is regarded as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time.
Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at West Ham United where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the 'Hammer of the Year award' the following season. He earned his first senior international cap in a match against Cameroon in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Manchester United in July 2002 for around £30 million, breaking the transfer fee record at that time.
About Robbie Savage
Robert William "Robbie" Savage is a Welsh football pundit and former player. During his career he played predominantly as a midfielder, starting off as a youth player with Manchester United before joining Crewe Alexandra when he failed to make the grade at Old Trafford. He became a regular for Leicester City in the late 1990s and early 2000s and performed a similar role for Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers. In 2008, he joined Derby County; after a short loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion later that year, he returned to captain Derby, with whom he finished his playing career. He also played for the Wales national team on 39 occasions. He now acts as a pundit for the BBC and regularly presents 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday evenings alongside Darren Fletcher.
