CHANDIGARH, APRIL 7:The Chandigarh Football Association Academy for girls was launched today at the Dev Samaj College ground in Sector 45 here. The boys academy would become functional on April 11. Both academies were scheduled for launch today. However, as most of the CFA officials are busy with the Tata Tea Arsenal Under-15 Inter-School Soccer which commences at the Sector 17 Football Stadium tomorrow, it was postponed. Thirty two schools would be taking part in the two-day seven-a-side tournament.
CFA secretary Rakesh Bakshi said that qualified coach from National Institute of Sports, Ms Poonam and national level player Kamal, would be the lady coaching instructors at the Dev Samaj College ground. CFA vice-president RK Sharma would be the overall in charge of the girls academy.He will be assisted by Rakesh Bhatt and Amrik Singh.
As many as 19 girls from different educational institutions reported for training on the opening day. Poonam imparted training in fundamentals and basic techniques. Training lasted more than one hour in evening. The trainees also did physical conditioning exercise.
According to Bakshi, more players have expressed their willingness to join the academy after their examinations are over. "The CFA will be providing coaching for one hour daily to girls and boys at their respective academies, free of cost. Even former national and international players of Chandigarh have expressed their desire to join the coaching panel," said Bakshi. Parents of girl trainees are also showing keen interest that their children should get proper and regular training.
The girls who have joined the academy are: Shruti Sharma, Alisha, Amanpreet Kaur, Puneet Chahal, Namrata Geisinger, Ekta Hope Geisinger, Ishita, Sharika Kaul, TanuPriya Singh, Jaspreet Kaur, Saachi Shanti, Rupali Katosh, Meenu, Urvashi Kapila, Manpreet Kaur, Gurleen Kaur, Samiksha Gupta, Divleena Singh and Itsha Joshi.