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| Former TFA directors Aroon Ghosh (second from left), P.K. Banerjee and former chief coach Md Habib have their plates full during lunch at the academy. Picture by Bhola Prasad |
Jamshedpur, Sept. 11: After landing in the city this morning, former footballer P.K. Banerjee wasted little time before offering tips to the officials of the Tata Football Academy (TFA).
Besides suggesting on how to improve the performance of the cadets, Banerjee, a former TFA director, stressed the need for satellite centres, which could be under the control of the academy.
In the company of former TFA director Aroon Ghosh and former chief coach Md Habib, Banerjee said the satellite centres would boost the country’s football standard. “Just imagine… Fourteen of the TFA boys finding berth in the national under-18 team. It reflects the success story of the academy.” He added that it was for the TFA board of management to take a decision on the satellite centres. “The satellite centres could be set up at key locations of the country. Soccer academies are opening elsewhere. Even Mohun Bagan had recently set up an academy at Durgapur,” he added.
The ace footballer said funds and hard work are key to setting up the satellite centres. “It is not an easy job. It requires considerable amount of money and managerial skills. I think corporate houses should come forward in this direction. It would serve the right purpose,” Banerjee said.
He added that Indian soccer was improving and training centres (or academies) would give a fillip to the game. Arjuna awardee Ghosh, also a former TFA director, echoed his views. “The TFA is yielding results and it would not be a bad idea if extension wings are set up.”
Banerjee was TFA director from 1994-98 and Ghosh from 1999-2002. Habib was the chief coach from 1987-98. All three are in the city as special guests of Tata Steel for the JRD Tata International Invitational football tournament.
Recalling his earlier days with the TFA, Banerjee said it had changed for the better over the years.
Ghosh said he feels hurt when the ex-TFA boys are ill-treated in matches. “A red card shown to an ex-TFA cadet hurts us the most. We have an emotional attachment with them. No matter where they are playing, they are always in our memory,” he added.
