Mahindra Group’s decision to re-focus on building football at the grassroots and community level through the creation of a proposed national school-level initiative is a laudable decision. The startling aspect of Friday’s announcement to move out of competitive football at the conclusion of I-League 2010 and re-allocate resources on talent development is that there is no indication from the management if the ongoing Mahindra United Player Development Programme also comes to a halt.
Under chief coach Santosh Kashyap, an ex-international and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) A Coaching Licence holder, the Player Development Programme was launched last July with 25 trainees and now overseas training of 250 boys at Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kandivili campus.
Mahindra United, following AFC directives to create development squads in various age groups as part of a pyramid structure mandatory for professional clubs, has a junior programme which serves as a supply chain of junior football talent to India U-15, U-17, U-19 probables, many of whom represent the nation at AFC Championships over the years.
Midfielder Shilton D’Silva, a member of India U-17 and U-19 squads in the past, is now among outstanding talents from all over India under consideration for the AIFF U-21 squad slated to compete in the I-League next season, according to chief coach Kashyap. Three other juniors are undergoing training in Goa as part of an AIFF preparation camp to select the India U-15 squad.
These MU juniors in the U-19 and U-15 age groups, supported by parents, view football as a career option and were prepared to spend time in national camps, away from studies and family, to achieve career goals. They are looking for a helping hand from the Mahindra Group at a critical time and continuation of the junior programme will go a long way in attracting other city youngsters to the ‘grassroots and community football development’ project on the cards.
Maharashtra football also benefited from infusion of MU juniors at the National Championships conducted by the national federation for various age groups. Mahindra United’s U-19 team qualified for the MDFA Elite Division this season, opening doors of opportunity for Mumbai youngsters to hasten their graduation to the MU senior squad.
Mumbai youngster Colin Abranches, 18 and part of the Player Development Programme, was on the shortlist for MU senior squad next season. Five outstanding players from age group squads were being considered for training with seniors, informed Kashyap, an ex-international. Abranches trained with the I-League players, coached by David Booth.
The fallout of forcing amateurs in U-15 to U-19 age groups to fend for themselves, on the Mahindra Group’s initiative on grassroots and community football development, can be imagined. Young footballers and parents may turn their back on the game, instead of putting up with uncertainty.
Mahindra United jrs in India camps India U-15 camp in 2010: Rahul Yadav, Nadeem Khan and Awesh Shaikh.
India U-16 camp in 2008: Harshad Meher, Ajit Bhoir and Sheldon D’Silva. India U-19 camp in 2009: Shilton D’Silva.
