Bengaluru FC to set up residential academy

Bengaluru, July 13: Defending I-League champions and Indian football giants, Bengaluru FC have officially announced their plan to start a residential academy.

The residential academy will be set up at the JSW Township in Vijaynagar, Bellary.

Speaking about their plans relating to the residential academy, club CEO Mustafa Ghouse said: "Our new Head of Youth, John Kila has worked at various parts of the world and we're really happy to have him with us.

"The fully residential facility in Vijayanagar will house two age groups, U18s and U16s, and the club will provide them proper education.

The other age groups will be trained in Bangalore and we are looking to add children from various parts of the country to the academy."

The CEO further stated: "The Bangalore leg of the trials will be from the 23rd of July and we will move to Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab and Chandigarh in August.

"Once a child is selected to the academy, he will bear no expenses as BFC will be taking care of everything, including his education.

"We are hoping and excited that children from across Karnataka and the entire country will be part of the selection process.

'We will be taking part of the various local and state leagues, and the U15 I-League and the U19 I-League.

"There is a lot of talent in the various cities in Kerala and Punjab, so we will be going across these states for the talent hunt.

"Coaches in each city are in contact with us so we will be looking at them, the State Associations and other schools to get the word out."

Bengaluru FC recently appointed John Kila as their head of youth development. The Dutch coach has previously worked with several age group sides in Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand.

Speaking about the new academy, Kila said: "I'm very happy to be in India and at this club because we want to get youth into the first team and I share the same ambition.

"It's a fantastic project because we are giving young players the opportunity to grow into players fit for the first team.

"It is a privilege to be here as I will start working with coaches from India. I like the challenge and I'm really looking forward to it."

It is indeed a great step taken by the reigning champions of India. Bengaluru FC have once proved that they are the pathfinders of Indian football.

Often regarded as the most professional football club in India, the JSW owned team once again does justice to their goodwill.

OneIndia News