Rourkela, June 14: A centre set up by the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and Football Association of Odisha (FAO) to train budding footballers of the city is drawing encouraging response.
Some 32 children, aged between six and eight, are undergoing training at the centre located at Ispat Stadium at Sector-6. The children are learning the basics of the game in the first stage.
"Trainees are supposed to come thrice a week, but everyday, around 50 of them turn up to practice. We cannot say no to them because the purpose is to encourage children to take interest in the game," said coach Prasant Pal who is heading the training here.
"This is a grassroots-level initiative to spot, train and prepare footballers at a very young age. The entry age is six and a trainee can continue till he or she is 12. After that, if we find the candidate has potential to go to the next level, we will lend him or her our helping hand," said FAO chief executive officer Subasish Behera.
The selection of children was done earlier this year and the centre started on February 6. The coach has already spotted budding talents within this short period of time.
"Bikash Besra, Asish Nayak, Asish Jojo, Arnold Dungdung and Abhisek Biswal among boys and Saraswati Badaik and Ananya Dungdung among girls are showing promise," said Pal.
Children are also enjoying the training facility. They are coming for the training almost everyday braving the searing heat. "I cannot stay without practising for a day," said Ananya, whose brother Arnold is also train there.
Behera said: "We have six training centres in the state, of which three are in Sundargarh. We have found good response and quality players amongst the tribals here." The centre in Sundergarh is meant for girls. The FAO has provided balls, jersey, cones for practice and some other basic equipment. It was also planning to provide boots to the trainees, said Behera.
However, he added that their biggest constraint was money. "We are being able to manage as the coaches do not charge any honorarium," said Behera. "But, the trainees need some nutrition to play soccer and we are not in a position to provide them with that," he added.
The steel plant has provided the ground for the training. RSP general manager (town services) Santosh Nayak said: "We have made provisions for providing boots to the children. We are also considering giving nutrition to them."
