In the pursuit of fresh talents ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) leaves no stone unturned and the scouting programme, under the vigilance of the ex-National team skipper Abhishek Yadav is just another step to handpick those talents. Not less than thirty kids showcased their talents in front of the Director of Scouting, AIFF during the first of the three scheduled camps at Kalyani in West Bengal on November 19 & 20, 2016.

“We kick started the 3-leg scouting programme in Kalyani and I must say, we’re off to a great start. Most of the clubs sent their players and they were quite impressive on the pitch”, Abhishek opened up while speaking exclusively to AIFF Media.

All the teams who are contesting in the ongoing U-16 Youth across three zones, namely Kolkata, Shillong-Guwahati and Rest of India (III) were asked to send three players for the camp and almost thirty kids turned up for the camp.

“We had organised 11v11 matches against the U-18 team of United Sports Club and another local team. We ensured that our boys played against an elder team. This gruelling test will make them technically better and superior in coming days, come what may.”, Abhishek added more, “Following the two-day programme, we zeroed in on two boys who have the capability to join the U-17 team in Goa.”

The second camp is slated to take place at the Ground 19, Raj Niwas in New Delhi on November 22 & 23, 2016.

All the Delhi-based clubs and others who’ll ply their trade in the Rest of India (II) are supposed to nominate their wards for the Delhi-leg of the three camps.

“Our next stop is Delhi and we’re looking forward to spending two days with a skilful bunch of boys. Our scouting programme for the U-17 World Cup is still on and more boys come for the camp, better for us”, Abhishek sounded pretty pragmatic speaking to AIFF Media.

Abhishek kept on saying, “From a player’s vantage point, sometimes it happens with a player when he can’t show his skills during a match. That’s why AIFF took up this initiative and on behalf of AIFF, I urge all the clubs to send their best talents in the camp, it’s just another opportunity for them to prove their worth.”

Meanwhile, the clubs, who couldn’t send their players to Kalyani due to unavoidable circumstances, are free to send their wards to subsequent camps in Delhi and Goa also.

Abhishek informed, “We found that some Kolkata-based clubs and one Shillong-based club didn’t turn up in Kalyani. We earnestly request them to send their boys to Delhi or Goa, depending on their convenience”, he added more, “There’s no hard and fast rule on the geographical location. At the end of the day, we all are looking forward to the best possible combination for the upcoming U-17 World Cup and it’s the time when the clubs along with AIFF need to step up to hit the bull’s eye.”

(Report & Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)