FC Goa unveils plans for grassroots development program

FC Goa today unveiled plans for its grassroots development program in Goa for the year 2016.
Addressing a press conference Sukhvinder Singh, CEO of FC Goa, Katz Naidoo, Techincal Director - Grassroots Program, FC Goa and Piet Hubers, Grassroots Technical Director - ISL outlined the key initiatives that the club has formulated for 2016.
Speaking on the unveiling, Sukhvinder said, "We had a great 3 months during the tournament period when we made it all the way to the final. And while the general attention was focused on the first team, we had plenty of work going on in the background with our grassroots program. It is one of our key priorities and today is an opportunity to highlight that.

"We have an excellent grassroots program in place that has yielded great results already and we are confident on continuing with that trend going forward. We have several plans in place and the U-13s tournament which is slated for February is a great introduction to a larger scheme of initiatives for the year ahead."
"Among the key events slated for the early part of the year is a tournament that FC Goa has organised for its 16 centres and is scheduled to take place on the 14th February. The club already boasts of a robust development program that reaches out to over 1500 children and works with 16 schools across Goa. Beyond these partnerships, the club has planned over 30 events in the coming year as part of its 'Outreach Program' that will be aimed at students who are not a part of these schools," Sukhwinder added.

Explaining the details of the program Katz Naidoo, Techincal Director - Grassroots Program, FC Goa said, "Our mission is very simple. We believe that the game is a great teacher. Our aim is to make sure every kid out there has the opportunity to go out and do the best he can. So far we have had great support from the players, coaches, schools and families as well as the management of the club. And we will continue to do develop football here. FC Goa Grassroots Program is designed for the people of the state."
"Grassroots should be spread across because football is for all. The greatest football game came from street football. This initiative should reach out to many children as far as possible and children should look up to players like Mandar and Romeo and follow them because Goa has got talent. Youth is development. It is not about winning but playing with fun and enjoyment," he added.