A football academy –need of the hour!
President Maitripala Sirisena who attended a function last week called upon the sporting fraternity to guide the country’s sports and forget about the past and to sit together. He said that they should shed petty differences and diversions, uniting in the resolve that every effort should be made to develop the sport to international standard.
Students at a practice session-File photo
In his speech he was frank enough to mention that Sport Ministers of successive government in the past failed to develop the sports due to various reasons. He also stated under his leadership that the controlling bodies will be given a free hand to do their activities without any undue political interference.
This is what I have been emphasizing for the last two decades through various English dailies for which the response was zero. On behalf of the football loving crowd of the common man’s sport football, I wish to thank the president for his encouraging words.
Talking about our football, you can travel across the length and breadth of Sri Lanka and you are sure to observe football been played in every park and field over the island. However, achievements in the field of international competitions by our National squads during the last two decades have been rather disappointing. Success has not come our way during this period — a rather poor record for 75 years of Association in Football. One must understand a country’s playing standard is judged by the outside world on the performance of its senior National Squad at international competitions. The only solution is to introduce a Football Academy, for the benefit of our young sorceries without further delay. In Asian region, countries like Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Nepal to name a few who have already introduced such Football Academy to improve their standard of football.
It is unfortunate with 135 years of football history we have failed to emphasis on this matter. With the long relationship which we have built up with the FIFA and AFC – the financial support and other assistance will not be an issue. It’s only a matter of preparing a comprehensive report and submits to the World Controlling Body through the Asian Football Confederation.
A Football Academy is a special centre which will have to be set up by the FFSL with the approval of FIFA.
Talented young players will be coached and trained at the Football Academy. Those players who are aged 12 to 18 years of age will be known as Academy Students. A Football Academy will have highly qualified specialist coaches and a good pitch and other facilities.
They will have support from other professional staff, including physiotherapist, doctors and teachers. Some of the students will become professional footballers. Some of them will represent their country one day. So the Football Academy is really about excellence in everything they do. Attaining excellence is the aim of every Academy officials.
Football Academy will have a Director, who will be in charge of the overall activities and will have experienced in football (He may be a former national player himself with managerial skills) in developing young players. He will be in regular contact with the club managers, prefect of games in school and other important people at the clubs and schools. Helped by coaches, with advanced coaching qualifications, the Academy Director will organize the training programmes.
The Academy Director will be responsible for all the decisions about students, whether they should come to the Football Academy in the first place and whether they reach the standards necessary to remain a member.
It will be a privileged to be a member of the Academy; Represent Academy at all time, both on and off the field. Attends coaching and development sessions with the very best coaches; players of the Academy, wearing its kit in football matches; Spends time with and is influenced by other people who are aiming for the top ; Is taught to enjoy preparing and participating , working hard and achieving success.
Many very promising young footballers were hurt by playing in too many competitive matches of poor quality. All these matches meant that time to concentrate on improving skills were lost. The result was that many good players were unable to make the progress they deserve.
For these reason students will be allowed to play only for their school and for the tournament recommended by the Academy. The Football Academy will draw up the match programme for each student following discussion with his parents and schools Principals. This programme may include matches for school teams, but for other junior clubs depends on their age and maturity.
The Football Academy will give facilities to meet very high standards. Is backed up by expert medical and physiotherapy assistance; is committed to the best child protection arrangements for the students; Tell parents what its procedures are and gives them the name of someone whom they can contact at any time; Has-full time Head of Education and welfare and experienced teacher who works with parents and schools to help students’ all round development and who will be always available to answer parents question and concerns; The Head of Education and Welfare also will make study facilities available for students, homework and organizes courses on English, computer studies etc.Place at the Football Academy will be limited and only the very best talented players can be considered and invited to join. How do you become a Football Academy student? A player’s very special skills and talent are noticed and the Football Academy is told about them. They will be then tested by qualified coaches and absorbed into the Football Academy.
Usually, the players and his parents will be invited to the Football Academy to meet the coaches and other staff to see the facilities (the ground, training areas, changing rooms, education social areas and so on)
The player will probably have the chance to train with student at the Football Academy and to play games with them. Whilst doing so he will be carefully watched by the academy officials who will be interested not only in his skills but in his behavior and his attitude both on and off the field. They will decide if he reaches the standards they require.
Registration of students take place with the official documents signed by the student, his parents put their name to official documents produced by the Academy. These documents include a registration form and code of conduct parents also receives a full copy of rules.
The Football Academy staff, the student and their parents make a formal, legal agreement and commit themselves to one another for a specified period.