Khalsa Football Academy crowned 2013 UEFA Young Champions

Image Credit: RAJ SAHOTA photos

Khalsa Football Academy (KFA) is an organisation which supports young people through football initiatives that challenge stereotypes and racism, provide programmes of healthy living & lifestyles, tackle anti-social behaviour and ultimately provide a platform for children to voice their concerns. The KFA have been delivering soccer initiatives and workshops for the past 25 years.

The highlight on the pitch has to be being crowned UEFA Young Champions at this year’s UEFA Champions League tournament. The UEFA Young Champions Final was hosted at The International Quarter, Stratford City 23rdMay 2013. It was the first major event there since the 2012 Olympics.The UEFA Young Champions League finals was a fantastic family friendly atmosphere with plenty of activities and an entertainment programme designed to celebrate London hosting the biggest event in European club football. Festival ambassadors included former England players Faye White and Steve McManaman.

KFA ethos empowers youngsters to play futsal, which helped them to comfortably go through the preliminary rounds and into the finals on Thursday 23rd May. KFA maintained a 100% win ratio from the qualifiers and competed successfully against Benfelliyt, PSA, Hannikins, Carshalton and Dagenham, emerging victorious from the U12 section and automatically winning tickets to the Champions League Final at Wembley between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. The KFA were honoured to have Futsal legends Ricardinho and Javi Rodríguez at the winners’ award ceremony.

Bal Singh “ KFA have been delivering Futsal and skills camps over the past 2 decades and provide a platform for youngsters to play skillfull football. Community development work is essential but on the pitch winning the 2013 UEFA Young Champions Final is the ultimate achievement from Khalsa football Academy. All the players that participated and the parents who have supported KFA deserve a mention.”

Players story: Dominik Topolsky

Image Credit: RAJ SAHOTA photos

Dominik joined the Khalsa Football Academy 5 years ago and is part of the “Striving For Unity” equality initiative, bringing different community groups together and promoting diversity and integartion in the community. Originally from Slovakia, Dominik couldn’t speak any English when he joined KFA 5 years ago and it’s great that he not only attends the regular community Futsal sessions at KFA, but also attends individual and futsal KFA masterclasses led by Bal Singh, developing skills for youth players.

Dominik said, “It is great to be part of KFA community Futsal but attending the KFA masterclasses has made me a better player. I am honoured when Bal Singh made me captain and to win the UEFA Young Champions Final in KFA’s 25thyear anniversary is a special feeling.”

KFA are based in Herts and Beds and are recruiting Futsal teams and players for Futsal for fun community development initiatives in September this year. Any under 10, 12, 14, 16 and Adult players and teams interested please email Bal at the following email address – [email protected]. For sponsorship opportunities, contact The KFA community club at 07813 17 97 97.