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Over 4000 Delhiites get ready to play at The Football Link International Festival 2012 bringing children, coaches, schools, parents, Corporates, government, international clubs and NGOs to a single platform
The Football Link International Festival 2012, the largest ever display of football talent in Delhi commenced this week with preliminary matches for the F Cube Tournament where 256 teams are competing for cash prizes worth six lakh. This first of its kind Football extravaganza will culminate in an action packed week long showcase at the Thyagaraj Stadium featuring 64 corporate teams, 32 F Cube teams, 32 junior school teams, 16 sub-junior school teams, 16 NGO teams and 16 Girls teams from the capital. Recognized by Delhi Soccer Association (DSA), the festival will also host a unique ‘Coaching and Scouting’ camp that provides Indian players a chance to improve their skills and impress experts visiting from renowned international clubs like Italy’s AC Milan, Scotland’s Rangers F.C among others.
Speaking about the initiative Mr. Chetan Misra, Founder and CEO, The Football Link, said “The festival will feature thrilling football initiatives steered by international coaches and scouts. This is an exciting time for grassroots football in India and the event is structured to provide increased exposure to individual players, maximize healthy competition among teams, harness talent from every segment of society and improve skills of players from every age group.” He further added, “Football, the most popular sport in the world, is about more than just fun and entertainment. It can help you lead a healthy life, perform better in academics and profession, make you a more confident individual and give you the courage or outlook necessary to face life’s many challenges.”
The Football Link International Festival 2012 can be broadly divided into four distinct categories. F Cube, a 5 a side Futsal Tournament for football enthusiasts who love the game, has received an outstanding response from all quarters. 64 teams will compete at every zonal competition and only 32 out of 256 teams will reach the final week. With cash prizes worth Rs. 6,00,000, F Cube is for those who enjoy some serious competition. The final week of the festival will begin with the Corporate Championship that enables the city’s working population to display their skills at the 5v5 format. This tournament gives professionals a window to escape from their stressful work environment and get outdoors for an exciting weekend playing football. From leading MNC’s like Google, Barclays, Genpact etc. to teams from SME’s and government bodies like Parliament House of India, this segment has 64 corporate teams vying for the top slot.
For kids falling in the age group of 10 to 15 years, The Football Link International Festival 2012 brings a world of opportunities. Nearly 700 boys, girls and underprivileged students from Delhi’s top schools will compete for the prized medals, shields and trophies in this category. With scouts from leading international clubs watching and evaluating individuals, this platform is intrinsic to a young player’s future.
The Football Link International Festival 2012 will also witness the country’s first football workshop conducted by scouts and coaches from venerated international clubs like AC Milan and Ranger F.C. The experts will not only deliver coaching drills but also undertake skill evaluation tests for different age groups culminating in a report card that offers valuable insights. As a part of its ongoing initiative, Football link will sponsor talented players who are underprivileged and cannot afford the fee for these specialized workshops.
