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The first Manchester United soccer school based in India that has started functioning at the Cooperage ground, Mumbai, from 30th January was visited by two Premier league legends on February 8, Wednesday. The young scholars of the soccer school got to train with these two top former Manchester United stars.
Denis Irwin and Quinton Fortune took part in the training session with the young players on the artificial turf set up by world football governing body FIFA.
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The head coach of the MUSS in Mumbai, Chris O’Brien said, “The training these kids would receive will be identical to what children undergo in the Manchester United Academy. It will be a five-day in a week session and we have started with the dribbling module first (lasting five weeks). It will be a positive learning experience.
“Importance will also be given to physical fitness and diet. There would also be (theory) classes. Education is as important as practical sessions.”
It was learnt that the the five-week module training at the school, for which MU has collaborated with the state football body, Western Indian Football Association, would cost Rs. 12,600 each.
There would be a total of three hundred young footballers enrolled for the first module. The school would identify 100 talented young footballers who cannot afford the fees otherwise for a year-long training.
WIFA CEO Henry Menezes said that the entire Cooperage ground, which is undergoing a face lift, will be up and running by the beginning of the next season.
“The stands can be dismantled and will have bucket seats. We are hoping to conduct a few I-League matches after the month-long break (in the league) if possible,” Menezes said.
With the renovations going on at the Cooperage, the local I-League teams Air India and Mumbai FC have been forced to play their home games at Pune’s Balewadi Sports Complex.
The MUSS children are using a small artificial pitch on the north side of the ground, along with four floodlight towers.
“Yet another pitch will be set up on the southern side (behind the players’ dressing rooms),” Menezes said.
According to Menezes, the entire cost of the floodlights in four corners of the main turf as well as the turf has been borne by FIFA.
“The cost of laying the smaller turfs for children is borne by Manchester United club,” he added.
