Odisha initiates efforts to create ecosystem to promote football
Representative image (Getty Images)
BHUBANESWAR: State sports director R Vineel Krishna on Saturday said steps like hosting of FIFA U-17 women’s world cup (WWC), setting up of football high performance centre, launching of Odisha FC and hosting domestic leagues would create an ecosystem to promote football from grassroots to elite.
Speaking at a webinar on the evolution of Indian football, the sports director said while world class infrastructure is being developed for this FIFA U17 WWC to be held in February-March, next year, Odisha is also developing a pathway from grassroots to elite for producing talented footballers.
“Odisha has a rich past of women footballers from the state representing India. Even the current pool is very talented, with girls bagging bronze and silver medals in Khelo India youth games held at Guwahati in the U21 and U17 categories respectively. Our focus is to build on this area of strength on the women’s football front,” said an official statement quoting Vineel.
To develop football at grassroots, the sports director said developing a strong legacy program in the state as part of hosting the WWC is being worked on priority basis.
Official sources said the state government has also planned to set up football corners in schools and public parks across the state that aims to increase the popularity of football and participation of people especially young kids.
“Engaging AIFF E-license coaches at these football corners will add new possibilities for the players with promising talent. Hosting football competitions in the state in a phased-manner across different age categories for both boys and girls is also being chalked out,” said Vineel according to the statement.
Aiming to tap in rural talents, the state sports department has planned to start day coaching programs for younger age categories in selected places. The department is also considering to rope in AIFF as technical partners to run the football sports hostels.