Unless football matches the support and infrastructure enjoyed by cricket in India, it is not possible to make the game bigger in the country, says Ian Rush, the former Wales and Liverpool striker.
In the Capital as the Liverpool FC Soccer School Ambassador, Rush said, “Until the game gets support from all sections of the society, and boys and girls take to the game in good numbers, it is difficult to foresee changes for the better. But first, we need enthusiastic youngsters to train and play with smiling faces.”
The illustrious Welshman who scored 346 goals in 660 appearances for Liverpool, besides netting 28 goals in 73 outings for the Wales National team through the 1980s and 1990s, said, “India became number one in Test cricket due to various reasons. We want to help generate similar reasons for football, too, in this country.”
As part of the initiative to help Indian football improve its status in the long run, Steve McMahon Football Academy will begin operations in the country at the Genesis Global School, Noida, from October 1.
Announcing the launch of this official Liverpool FC Academy, McMahon, a former England and Liverpool midfielder, said, “The Academy will begin enrolling kids in the age-groups of under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16. We plan to open two academies this year and can have up to 500 kids across all age-groups at each centre. The more, the better, that only means we’ll need more coaches.”
The Academy will employ coaches from Liverpool and they will impart training to children as well as Indian coaches. “We are in India to teach football the Liverpool way. I think it is the best way,” said McMahon, who is the head coach of the Academy.
The initial plans are to open four centres in the Delhi and National Capital Region. Centres will also be set up Mumbai, Goa and in southern India in the next 18 months.
