Football in India is on the rise and catching the eye of the fans in the last few years. However Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand felt that it lacked a world class player in its ranks that can get the whole nation hooked to the game.
The former England center back along with another great of the game in Robbie Savage was in India along with the Supporters Club, a BT Sport charitable initiative.
British broadcast giant BT Sport organized a football workshop for young budding footballers in the Capital and the two English legends were involved in a number of events including training sessions with the children.
The duo also visited an IOT, Arsenal Soccer School center in Delhi NCR, and had exclusive training sessions with the young players just before a match between the Pathways School Gurgaon and Dalhousie Public School, Badhani, two teams who were trained at the IOT.
The game ended 3-3 as both the English players were looking on. They also emphasized on over all development of the kids on and off the field through football.
Arsenal FC and BT Sports have a successful long term relation and the latest workshops were aimed at promoting football in the youth in India. The English franchise already has a huge presence in Indian football with IOT-Arsenal Soccer Schools programme already running in as many as 8 Indian cities.
Rio Ferdinand, speaking at that center said, “Like Didier Drogba did for Ivory Coast and yes, Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, India need that one big player on whom they can build it around,”
These IOT’s function on teaching the children to ‘Play the Arsenal’s way’ “Like Didier Drogba did for Ivory Coast and yes, Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, India need that one big player on whom they can build it around,”
While talking to the young players at the center said, “”Keep playing, keep working hard, keep practicing and hopefully one of you guys will make it to the Indian national team and be the guy that everyone looks up to you, be the inspiration.”
Robbir Savage added, “Enjoy football; play with a smile on your face, that’s the most important thing. Thank you for having us. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience”