Quite pleased with large numbers that showed up at its camps held previously in the city, FC Barcelona, through its FCBEscola programme for the youth, will open two centres in mid September. Antoni Claveria Mayol, FCB Head Football Schools, Asia Pacific region, talks to Sportstar about the Spanish club’s initiative in Mumbai:
Question: Why did you choose Mumbai for your programme and not Bengal, Kerala, Goa which are known for their football culture?
Answer: FCBEscola’s relationship with Mumbai dates back to more than three years. In the summer of 2013, we held our maiden five-5 camp in Mumbai. Since then there have been many more camps in various parts of the city and the response has always been enthusiastic. We got constant positive feedback from the players and parents who were a part of the camps. We felt it was time we setup a permanent base in Mumbai.
Mumbai is known for being extremely partial to cricket...it has won 41 Ranji Trophy titles. Are you confident your programme will work here?
We have done six camps over the three years in Mumbai and have always had an overwhelming response. This was reflected in the three open trials we have done for the launch of the Escola, with many more players interested in attending trials. We are the programme will be a grand success.
What do you look for when you select programme venues?
The venues need to be up to the standard as required by FCB. Don Bosco High School, Matunga and St. Dominic Savio High school in Andheri shared the values and vision we have for the Escola programme and grassroots football development. In addition, we look for healthy football culture to support our programme. We are happy to be in Don Bosco and Dominic Savio and are sure they will be great venues.
You said each programme will have capacity to take 500 boys and girls? All this will come at a price...so this would be seen as a business activity?
The idea is to bring world class coaching and infrastructure to our young aspiring players which we have amply done and demonstrated with our success in Delhi NCR. There is also a plan to support true talent with scholarships slots and we hope to find many deserving candidates in Mumbai. We’d like to enrol maximum numbers as possible in order to make a real impact with our methodology and values. FCB and Conscient Football deliver top quality programmes designed and supervised by FC Barcelona Technical Directors, top training facilities, qualified and licensed local coaches, training kits, among many other different assets. In this sense, the delivery offered is unique.
Other reputed clubs in the world have not really made a big impact in the city? People say football by any big club is a costly affair?
FCB has now been in the country for five years clearly with long-term plans. We are sure of success in the long term though we do understand that it will be hard work. As I said the delivery offered is unfortunately not very common in India and that’s why cost seems higher. I would like to highlight what Conscient Football is doing for Indian Football. Their commitment is priceless and FCB is delighted in partnering with them. We feel that we have the best partner in the country.
What are the commitments from either side: two schools and Escola. Do boys and girls from the two schools have to pay for their training?
We will support the talent in both schools with special scholarships.
How long does it take for a boy or girl to be developed into a professional football player or even a top amateur?
This is subjective, and it depends on a lot of factors such as playing experience, player environment, motor skills, intelligence, rate of development, passion, sacrifice, etc . The goal of the Escola is to train the young players not only in the football skills but also life skills and to inculcate the Barca values. We want to be part of the development of the kids. We will guide and support them to become what they dream to be in the future with professionalism.
What opportunities will the trainees get in the context of international exposure?
The highlight of our season is the Escola International Tournament, which is held during Easter break every year in Barcelona. All the Escola’s around the world send their teams to participate in this event. Players enrolled in the programme will have the opportunity to represent FCBEscola Mumbai in this tournament. In addition, we participate in few other tournaments on a regular basis, the calendar for which is decided closer to dates. Beyond the tournaments FC Barcelona offers the opportunity to train in Barcelona also. The participants of the FCBEscola Delhi NCR and Mumbai will have the opportunity to join and train for a few days with our kids in the FCBEscola Barcelona.
The coach said Escola looks for intelligent players. How do you define that in the trainees?
We look for different things at different ages in a player. It is obvious that every stage demands different qualities and the demand can’t be the same. Intelligence can be defined in many different ways and there are different kinds of intelligence. Recently, I read an article talking about true intelligence. The article connects ‘intelligence and happiness’ by saying true intelligence is the one which allows you to be happy. I couldn’t agree more. In a five-year-old boy or girl our priority is that they enjoy while playing football. Beyond that point any sign of precocity in their behaviours is very well appreciated and of course it is taken under consideration. In the end, what we envision to have are players that understand the game and are capable to solve situations. We work hard to bring them to a conscious stage in which they are capable to read the situations while playing and make the right decision and choice. Football is a game played with the brain.
Will you continue the programme in Mumbai in the same schools after the first year?
Yes, we plan to continue in the two schools after the first year and will look to expand to two more centres in the years to follow. In Delhi NCR, we have been operating in the same venues for the last four years.
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