GUWAHATI, March 13 � The newly introduced Guwahati Football Club (GFC), which is, however, yet to get down in the field, has tied up with Brazilian club Clube Atletico Paranaense (CAP) and Delhi-based Anglian Management Group (AMG) for setting up its academy here in the city.
The GFC Academy was launched today in a brief function here.
Addressing a press conference today, GFC co-owner Sanjive Narain said they are planning to start a football academy of international standard in the entire north-eastern region.
He revealed that initially the academy will be started at the Guwahati Refinery ground, Noonmati and later plans are afoot to construct the institution at the Nine Mile area.
Narain said initially they will start the academy with 50 youngsters in the age group of 14 years, mostly from Assam. They have tied up with CAP for three years during which the frontline Brazilian club will provide technical support. CAP director Luiz Greco, who was present in the press conference with another CAP official Mauro Holzauaa, said their organisation is committed to provide all possible help to the GFC Academy including coaching the trainees and training local coaches. The CAP has already tied up with AMG and considering the availability of talented footballers in the NE region they are coming forward to help GFC Academy.
Dhruv Ratra, CEO of AMG said although Guwahati FC have only just formed, they are showing their commitment to the sport and their fans by establishing a very professional organization. Our Brazilian partners Clube Atletico Paranaense, having recently inked a deal with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to help train young Indian players for the 2017 U17 World Cup, will be able to impart the same education to Guwahati FC. This will help in the development of footballing and coaching talent that will in turn help raise the standard of the sport in the region and the country.
The AIFF secretary Kushal Das and FIFA Development Officer S Prabhakaran, Assam Football Association secretary Ankur Dutta were also present on the occasion.
