“To me, football is so much about mental toughness, it’s digging deep, it’s doing whatever you need to do to help a team win and that comes in a lot of shapes and forms.” – Tom Brady
The Golden Baby League of the SAI-Odisha Football Club for students in the age group of under 7, 8 and 11 years started on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at SAI International School.
It was inaugurated by Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS, Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation in presence of Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, Founder and Chief Mentor, SAI International Education Group, Shri Aakash Narula, Head Football Development, Odisha FC, Sr.Principal SAI International School, students and parents.
Shri Chaudhary said that the state has been taking a lot of interest towards the development of sports and this Baby Leagues will create a great impact in the students and improve the quality of football in Odisha.
Dr. Sahoo appreciated the interest and involvement of parents for encouraging their children to participate in the Golden Baby Leagues. He added that sports activities from a tender age will have a positive impact in the holistic development of a child.
Shri Narula and his team of coaches along with football coaches of SAI International School helped the young students to learn the fundamentals of football. Appreciating the enthusiasm of the students and parents alike, Shri Narula said that ‘I can see some great talents here, and am sure, the training will be of immense help’. He added that the Baby League will help in nurturing the students to become great footballers and better human beings.
The students will play of total of 28 comparative football matches in a span of three months which will not only nurture football skills but also strengthen their knowledge in maths, english and social skills.
Earlier SAI International School and Odisha FC Grassroot Partnership Programme was launched on Monday, November 18, 2019 to make Odisha a football powerhouse of India, create a football club culture and give the students of the State an opportunity to live their dream.