The BRICS cup came to sad end for India U-17 as the lads lost all their games and finished bottom of their group. However, as they say, every dark cloud has a silver lining, and the performance of the boys was as good as their better ranked counterparts, only losing the games by the slimmest of margins – and due to a lack of finishing. The latter can be worked at while there’s still time, giving the colts proper training in good academies should lead to a better National side in the future. After all, these are the boys who will most certainly be representing India at the highest level in the future – and their performance most definitely bodes well for the time to come. Working on their finishing and game in the final third, as well as being aided by the growth of their body and stamina – something which naturally happens later in Indians – and gunning to always keep improving is what will give them the edge they need to do better in the future. They’d managed to draw first blood against the Brazilian U-17 team (something which our main team has never managed), and with better fitness and tactics, they can surely do better in the years and games to come.
With that in mind, here are some popular academies to learn football in Mumbai and turn your kid into the next Alexis Sanchez or Lionel Messi:
1. Kick Pro Football Academy
Recently started in Kandivali, Kick Pro – The Football Academy is the brainchild of the fleet-footed footballer, one Mr Kushank Patel.
Unlike most other academies, this one comes with a twist. Instead of kids rushing to a distantly located ground or sports club, Kick Pro brings the ground to the kids’ doorsteps. The owner believes in the mantra of bringing his passion and love for the game straight to the kids’ homes, giving them the best of training in familiar and optimal conditions, and saving them the rigours of travelling for practice and training after an already hectic day.
Football at your doorstep. What more could you ask for?
2. Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools
Started by Bhaichung Bhutia – arguably India’s best captain and footballing product – BBFS is located in Borivali as well as in Vashi.
Bringing together world class training and the best of tactics, BBFS is the pioneer football academy in India. They have batches from the Under-8s to the Under-14s, wherein your child can develop a keen game sense and tactical nous from a young age itself.
3. Goregaon Sports Club
Situated in the suburbs, this sports club hosts a summer camp as well as round-the-year training for football aficionados. The former is more of fun than the intense training that you might be looking for, but the coach is always on the lookout for natural talents who are then scouted to play for their club and develop their gameplay along the way.
These are just some of the popular academies in Mumbai to learn football. But if they are beyond your reach for whatever reason, remember this – it is your passion and hard-work which will bring you success in the sport you love. Leo Messi used to be a chaiwallah, Alexis Sanchez’s only escape from the life of a miner and construction worker was football, Suarez did odd jobs and even worked as a sweeper at one point of time.
If you have the passion and the will to succeed, no one can stop you. Believe.
