World Class Training in India

World Class Training in  India
To be the best, train with the best

Friday, July 27, 2007

PIFA children invited for BCSSA World Skills Final 2007

Over the last one year Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) had organized five camps in India and Manchester with the Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy.

At each of these camp a skills contest was conducted for all the campers. The winners of each camp were eligible for invitation to the BCSSA Worlds Skills final.
This year the winners were Devkrsna Sagar (14) from Campion School, Amitesh Mukherjee (16) from R.N. Poddar, Mstr. Sumehr Gwalani (15) from Bombay International School & Mstr. David Vaz (16) from St Mary’s ISC,Mumbai and Mstr. Jonathan Stephen (13) from Ryan International, Delhi will be participating in the final to be held on 29 July 2007.

Last year, Kean Lewis represented India and stood 6th overall in the world finals, he was latter sent to Leicester City FC for month long trial. He went on to play for PIFA Colaba Youngstar FC, Maharasthra state and Mahindra United FC under 15 team.

Anirudh Hatttangadi was India’s first finalist to attend the World final in 2004, he is currently playing in Australia.

There will be 100 other children from all over the World coming to participate in the this annual event. Scouts from various local clubs also make it a point to be there

The children will be tested in their ability to Dribble, Shoot, Control / Juggle, Pass short & Pass long. Each test has an ideal score of 200 points + time bonus points. David Beckham holds the record with 1100 points in the World skills final of 1986, a record that stands unbeaten.

In the past, winners of this contest have been absorbed into premiership youth academies. The most famous winners being David Beckham, Neil Mellor, Freddy Eastwood, Stephen Ireland.

Indian children see 2007 UEFA Champions League Trophy

Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) strongly believes that “to be the best, train with the best”. It has been associated to the champions ever since AC Milan youth team visited India in 2005. PIFA has now conducted 3 tours for children 10-18 years from India to Italy, to learn from the champions.

Italy holds the top spot in the FIFA rankings, having won the 2006 World Cup. AC Milan has been the most consistent team in the last 20 years having reached the finals of the UEFA Champions league eight times and winning it thrice. Making AC Milan undoubtedly the best club in the world, they won the 2007 UEFA Champions League.

The tour was designed by PIFA to help children appreciate and understand the history of AC Milan FC and what makes them the BEST. Did you know that British expatriates Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin founded the club as a cricket club in 1899.

Two adults accompanied the children from India on the tour that began on 11 June 2007. It kicked off with a tour to the San Siro Stadium and a visit to the AC Milan office to see the clubs 7th UEFA Champions League Cup as well as the other silverware set up an exciting mood for the camp. They were greeted by Massimo Campioli is the Administrative and Financial Manager of the club.

Each child received an AC Milan Academy shoe bag & two kits that included jersey, shorts & stockings which they proudly wore during the training.

During training they had a surprise visitor - Mr David Endt, Ajax FC team manager. He had come to meet the children and discuss Indian football with PIFA director & FA coach Nirvan Shah. Ajax FC has the best youth academy training with their latest talent being Klaus Jan Huntelaar.

Training was organized at the Marco Polo Center in the beautiful town of Vitterio Veneto in the north eastern province of Treviso. The coaching was conducted through the week by the AC Milan Academy coaches Francesco & ably assisted by Georgio, the children were shown drills followed by the AC Milan youth teams.

They play a friendly match against Vittorio SM Colle Umberto (2-3). A come back of sorts being 3 goals down at half time the boys regrouped under guidance of PIFA coach Nirvan Shah to fight back with 2 quick goals by Avik Chaterjee & Shrey Sukhee in the 2nd half, unfortunately the game was called off early due to very heavy rains.

The children were given a tour of the historical town of Verona

The camp ended on the 19 May 2007, Bollywood Superstar -Mr Sunny Deol dropped in to meet the children. The Mayor of Vitterio Veneto distributed prizes. Everyone was a winner. Each child received a certificate and medal, as well as an AC Milan memento.

This has been PIFA twelfth camp to Europe, they have now organized a training camp to the famous Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy on July 1.
For more details on all the camps email info@pifacademy.comor call Anjali Shah on 98202 68365

Indian children meet the champions AC Milan

Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) organized the AC Milan tour to Italy – a football tour for children 10-18 years.

PIFA dream of helping India to the World Cup final in 2022 and has world hard to import the coaching techniques and methods from Europe into their academy. PIFA strongly believes that “to be the best, train with the best”.

Italy being the current World Cup holders, it was necessary to see what made them Champions. AC Milan has the most number of world cup players that played for Italy that boasts of Inzaghi, Maldini, Gatuso, Pirlo, etc. And also has players from the previous World Cup winners Brazil, namely Kaka, Ronaldo, Cafu & Dida. AC Milan are undoubtedly the best club in the world. And have proven so by winning their seventh Champions League title in 2007.

The tour was designed by PIFA to help children appreciate and understand the history of AC Milan FC and what makes them the BEST.

Fifteen children were accompanied by 2 adults from India on the tour that began on 13 May 2007. Each child received an AC Milan Academy shoe bag & two kits that included jersey, shorts & stockings.

On the first day, they were taken for a tour of the San Siro Stadium (home ground of AC Milan & Inter Milan) & Museum. Thereafter the were taken to central Milan to the AC Milan head office to see the six Champions League trophy as well as many other silverware. The children met one of the club’s director - Mr Campione and asked him if they had made place for the seventh Champions League Cup.

The children were taken on a walking tour of Milan City. They were also taken to visit Castel Brando - an Italian Castle.

Football training was conducted through the week by the AC Milan Academy coaches Francesco & assisted by Georgio in the beautiful town of Vitterio Veneto in the north eastern province of Treviso.

The children then got to see a Serie A match in San Siro between AC Milan and Udinese. The children got to see the game from a players perspective. Identifying the movement of each player in the team and understanding them. Although AC Milan rested the 1st team, the match was exciting, the fans were behind the team It was an electrifying experience, the children chanted, blew whistles & horns. The final score was 2-3 in favor of Udinese.

Later, the children were escorted to the players tunnel where they met the entire AC Milan team. There they had an opportunity to take photographs & autographs. Some shook hands and wished the players all the best for their Champions League Final.
The camp ended on the 22 May 2007, prizes were distributed by Sports Minister of Treviso. Everyone was a winner.

The group was accompanied by two adults from India ensuring that the children totally focus on football and enjoy themselves.

This has been PIFA eleventh camp to Europe, they once again leave for AC Milan on 11 June.

Indian children train at Everton FC Youth academy

Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) organized the Champions tour to England – a football tour for children 10-18 years.

Thirty children were taken to Old Trafford Stadium (Manchester United), Stamford Bridge Stadium (Chelsea FC) & Anfield Stadium (Liverpool FC). All three clubs reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

The tour was designed by PIFA to help children appreciate and understand the history of each of these clubs and what makes them so special. The children got a guided tour of the Stadium and Museum

Football training was conducted through the week by the world famous Bobby Charlton Soccer Sports Academy that boasts of students like David Beckham, Neil Mellor, Freddy Eastwood.
The were also treated to a training session at the Everton FC Youth Academy in Netherton. Everton Academy coach Tony Farrel & Simon Jennings were in charge and trained the children like how young Wayne Rooney was trained when at the academy.

Everton Football Club operates an extensive and highly successful Youth Academy. Players such as David Unsworth, Tony Hibbert, Francis Jeffers, Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe have graduated through the Youth system.

The children got to see an English Premier League match. Everton’s final home game at Goodison Park against Portsmouth. Both teams fighting for a UEFA spot. The children were seated on the first row and were the closest to the playing field. They were able to experience the energy of the fans & lively atmosphere in the stadium. The match was won 3-0 by Everton FC.

Each child underwent a fitness and skills test. The camps top score of 530 points was achieved by Jonathan M Stephen (13yrs) from Ryan International Delhi. He has now been invited to participate in the BCSSA World Skills Final to be held on 29 July 2007 in Manchester. The most famous winner being David Beckham after which he was recommended by Sir Bobby Charlton himself to Manchester United.

He will be participating with Dev Krsna, David Vaz, Sumehr Gwalani & Amitesh Mukerjee from India as well as other children from around the world.
The group was accompanied by two adults from India ensuring that the children totally focus on football and enjoy themselves.

This has been PIFA tenth camp to Europe, they now leave for AC Milan
For more details on all the camps email info@pifacademy.comor call Anjali Shah on 98202 68365