AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Indian Football Association (IFA) tied up with Kalyani Veterans Club, a private Club in Kalyani, West Bengal to set up the fifth Grassroot Centre in the last 15 days in the State. They are the first Club to set a Grassroots Centre in the State.

Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, Goutam Ghosh, Technical Officer, IFA informed that “over 150 kids turned up,” for the Festival on the day.

“The reach of a private Club is huge. We have tied up with the Kalyani Veterans Club where over 150 kids practice every day. We cannot compromise at the Grassroots,” he maintained.

“The infrastructure is enviable. There are three full size grounds lying side by side with enough space left for the fourth. It’s all in the same Campus and has been fenced all around. I am not sure where would you get such an infrastructure anywhere in India,” he added.

“Basically, we are looking to tie up with every District Sports Association,” Ghosh stated. “The first tie-up happened with the Chinsurah District Sports Association separated from Kalyani by the river Ganges.”

“Kids will come over and practice and play at weekends from where we can look at them. The idea is to popularise it among the kids. And in a State like West Bengal where every kid kicks the Ball, the initiatives are being welcomed with open hands across all sections.”

“We also have plans to taking it to the Schools. There are many a School with good infrastructure and we plan to get them involved in the Programme.

Besides Chinsurah and Kalyani, Centres have also been set up at Chakdah, Krishnanagar and Tehatta.