LFC International Football Academy DSK Shivajians begins nationwide talent scouting campaign from Aizawl

The top-flight club will start their scouting trip from North-East India, looking for the best talent to make their first batch of students for India’s first of its kind Football Academy.

Liverpool Football Club (LFC) International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians is all set to kick start a nationwide scouting campaign to identify promising young football talent in India from Aizawl.Selected footballers will form the first batch of students to be trained at the Academy that is coming up in Loni in Pune. The scouting tour is aimed at short-listing players to form two groups of Under-17 and Under-19.

Further to Liverpool FC International Academyand DSK Shivajians’ launch announcement in October 2013, the Academy is all set to nurture Indian football talent. This programme will support 64 selected aspiring young footballers in each batch. The LFC International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians will provide its students with the opportunity to develop their game in a professional academy environment.

Liverpool coaches, Ray Curtis and Michael William Rice will shortlist players at the talent scouting camps that they believe are among the best in the country;the shortlisted candidates will then be invited to showcase their talent at the DSK International Campus in Pune.

The selections for Aizawl will take place from 17^th to 20^th March, 2014, at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Mualpui. The trials will start at 9 am and will run till 5 pm, however, the registration for the same can be done on the day of the trials from 7.30 am to 9 am.

Enthusiastic footballers can participate in the registration process setup online on www.lfc-dskacademy.co.in or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lfc-dskacademy).

The Academy is the brainchild of Shirish Kulkarni, President, Liverpool International Football Academy – DSK Shivajiansand is supported by ArdershirJeejeebhoy, CEO and Amit Vanjari, General Manager, Liverpool International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians.

With the aim to produce well rounded footballers who can compete on an international level, the residential Academy will provide top notch infrastructure, a safe and secure learning environment and an emphasis on well-rounded education. The facilities at the Academy are designed to global standards and cater to all the student’s needs, both sports and recreation based. The thought behind this world class establishment is to ensure wholesome development of students who would go on to represent the country at both junior and international platforms and provide skill sets for those who are looking at sports as a long term career.

Sharing this enthusiasm on the scouting campaign, Shirish Kulkarni, President, Liverpool International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians said “We are very excited to commence our talent scouting process and are looking forward to meeting some young talented individuals who are passionate and serious about pursuing football. LFC International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians aims to provide an exciting platform to these youngsters from across India and internationally to showcase their potential and evolve as great footballers. With this world-class full time residential coaching academy with state-of-the art facilities and training under renowned coaches from Liverpool, we are confident of positioning India very strongly on the world map of international football.”

Talking about the partnership, Ray Curtis, LFC Coach said: “It is a fantastic experience. We can bring LFC closer to our Indian fans while working with an excellent partner in DSK to develop young football talents from across the country.” Michael Rice shared a similar emotion: “A great opportunity for a famous and historic club like Liverpool FC to be part of the development of football in India.”

Lalnghinglova Hmar (Tete-A), Honorary Secretary of the Mizoram Football Association added: “Mizoram Football Association is happy to be associated with LFC-DSK Academy because it is a genuine step to promote football in India and nurture Indian talent and provide a global platform to showcase their potential.

Mizoram Football Association would also like to take pride in the fact that they chose Mizoram as one of the centres for their trial. It will be a big boost for young footballers from the state to participate in an event of such magnitude.”

The six city talent scouting will conclude in Pune with finalists from each regional round coming down to the city for the final round of screening. The players who are unable to attend any of the previous regional scouting trips will also be encouraged to attend the final leg in Pune. However, a player can only register for one of the trials.

About Liverpool Football Club International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians

The first of its kind in the country, the LFC International Football Academy – DSK Shivajians is a groundbreaking move to establish India’s first International Club Residential Academy.

DSK ShivajiansFC has joined hands with the LFC International Football Academy and created a unique platform to ensure development and promotion of the sport in India. This ground breaking partnership is aimed at providing budding football stars across the country with the best guidance underqualified coaches from LFC.

The amenities at the Academy include a state of the art gymnasium, swimming pool, games room, lecture theatre and medical facilities. Fully staffed with assistant coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists and kit men, the Academy will have two new football pitches, one artificial 4G which allows the players to continue their training in extreme weather conditions while the other will be a natural turf.

The accommodation facilities are second to none with a room provided for each player along with all other necessary amenities including food and laundry services. The DSK Group has pulled out all the stops to make this academy completely world class.