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