Category: Grassroots

Mohammedan Sporting Club observes AFC Grassroots Day 2017

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club celebrated the annual AFC Grassroots Day at Mohammedan Sporting Ground in Kolkata on Saturday (20th May 2017), focusing on getting kids of the age group (6-12) to come together learn the basics of the game through various fun activities.

Though the AFC Grassroots Day usually observed on 15th May every year but the date has fallen on Monday this year therefor the club decided to celebrate it on weekend to reach out more kids.

The event at Mohammedan Sporting Ground was inaugurated by Mr. Sultan Ahmed, M.P President Mohammedan Sporting Club alongside Mr. Utpal Kumar Ganguli, Hony. General Secretary Indian Football Association (IFA) and Mr. Ghazal Uz Zafar, Hony. General Secretary Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Sharique Ahmed, Chairman of Youth Development Project Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mr. Hasnain Ahmed, Vice-Chairman of Youth Development Project Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mr. Goutam Ghosh, Technical Director IFA and Mr. Belal Ahmed Khan, Team Manager Mohammedan Sporting Club.

As part of the event organised by the 126-year-old club, more than 12 coaches trained at least 150 kids as football players after they were given an awareness session on the game to participate, exemplifying the grassroots spirit of inclusivity.

As the kids rotated through the stations, they learned new football skills including juggling, dribbling, precision passing, shots on goal and speed running.

“The aim of the event is not only bringing up good players, but at the same time to inspire children into the sport, to encourage healthy lifestyles and to develop both physical, moral and volitional qualities.” said Mr. Sultan Ahmed.

“Grassroots development provides a strong foundation that will allow children to progress to the top level. The foundation we build today will lead to a greater future for our historical club.” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ganguli thanked Mohammedan Sporting Club for this great initiative and said this kind of events will make kids enjoy the game and at the same time help them learn basics of the game.

Mohammedan SC inaugurates first ever Grassroots Programme in Kolkata Maidans

Kolkata: Mohammedan Sporting Club in association with the Asian Football Confederation and collaborating with the All India Football Federation and the Indian Football Association (W.B) inaugurated the very first Grassroots Development Programme in Kolkata Maidans on Sunday.

Grassroots football targets boys and girls aged 6-12 years and the motive of this programme was to develop basic football skills of the kids using techniques that are both fun and engrossing under the AFC and club’s youth development coaches.

The programme at Mohammedan Sporting Ground was inaugurated by Mr. Sultan Ahmed, M.P President Mohammedan Sporting Club alongside Mr. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Hony. Assistant General Secretary Mohammedan Sporting Club and Mr. Mohammad Qamaruddin Hony. Ground Secretary Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Sharique Ahmed, Chairman of Youth Development Project Mohammedan Sporting Club and Mr. Hasnain Ahmed, Vice-Chairman of Youth Development Project Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mr. Goutam Ghosh, Technical Director, Indian Football Association (W.B) and Mr. Belal Ahmed Khan, Team Manager Mohammedan Sporting Club.

More than 120 boys played 4-a-side and 5-a-side matches with a rolling substitution system to expand the opportunities for players of all abilities to participate, exemplifying the grassroots spirit of inclusivity.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sultan Ahmed said “We consider youth development as a very important element of our club. We have a set of highly knowledgeable coaches who are doing fine in shaping up the youth teams. Through this programme our aim is to create a new talent pool for future.”

Mr. Ishtiaque Ahmed also stressed the importance of grassroots development. He mentioned how this program will make kids enjoy the game at the same time help them learn basics of the game.

Mr. Mohammad Qamaruddin said that the parents should take advantage of this programme by Mohammedan Sporting Club and make the most of this opportunity.

Mr. Sharique Ahmed said, “Mohammedan Sporting Club is committed to develop football from grassroots and to meet our goal of designing various programmes that will allow children to be involved in the game.” He also added the need for such programs to be conducted on regular basis.

Mr. Goutam Ghosh thanked Mohammedan Sporting Club for this initiative and wished the young footballers all the very best.