AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: In a quest to extend the horizons of Football whilst cajoling up the interest in posterity in the State of West Bengal, the Indian Football Association has launched a Grassroots Centre in Mandirtala, Shibpur named in the district of Howrah on March 20, 2016. The Grassroots Centre has been named ‘Sudip Chatterjee Krira Kendra’ after the legendary figure of Sudip Chhaterjee, who hailed from the same region and was one of the finest midfielders in Indian Football history.

The Project is part of AIFF’s initiative to develop State Associations by fostering interest amongst the youth of the State, whilst cultivating them in the technicalities of the game.

“The Grassroots Centre in Mandirtala has been met with much applause”, said IFA’s Technical Officer Goutam Ghosh. “There are already 90 kids in the Grassroots Centre and the support of the parents has been stellar in letting the kids follow their passion”

“The youngsters are passionate about the game in West Bengal and through the Grassroots Centres we aim to harness their footballing prowess and help them evolve into better Players”

The IFA has already launched five permanent Grassroots Centres in the State of West Bengal and the Grassroots Centre in Mandirtala acts as a value addition to the development of the State Association.

“Some ex-Indian Internationals are also involved with the Grassroots Centre in Mandirtala and the kids therefore have a chance to learn from some of the best in the business”, Ghosh informs.

“We want to develop a safe atmosphere wherein any child can come, play, learn and evolve in Football”