If your child has been taking football coaching for some time now and is showing exceptional football skills, perhaps it’s time to enroll him/her in a top football academy that will help him become a professional player. Here we list the top football academies in India that will allow you to bend it like Beckham.
Football is Now Popular in India
Contrary to what many think about the football scene in India, it is actually quite alive and thriving. More than a decade back, one could see football peaking during the monsoons when cricket would take a back seat. In many cities in India such as Mumbai, football was mostly confined to pockets with a significant Christian community.
However, in recent years, football has indeed become very popular in India. There’s ISL (Indian Soccer League) and with the turf culture getting popular in India, football is now played throughout the year.
A lot of youngsters are now playing football and there are several coaching facilities as well. However, in order to become a professional player, you have to join a top-notch football academy.
Top Football Academies in India
Here we take a look at the top football academies in India.
These football academies offer great infrastructure, some have residential facilities, and have helped produce excellent football players who have gone to represent the state and the country.
Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy: This is a joint inititative between Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and SAIL Future of Indian Football. Coached by the legendary footballer Mr. Jo Paul Anchery, the academy offers great infrastructure and being associated with Mohun Bagan club further adds credibility to this academy.
Address: A-Zone Tagore Guest House, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, North Block, Durgapur, West Bengal.
Website: mbsfacademy.org
Pune FC Soccer School / Academy: A young club but its academies have the best professional setup that you can find in an academy.
Address: Various centres in Pune.
Website: Pune FC soccer schools
TATA Football Academy: Among the oldest and one of the best football academies in India.
Address: Inner Circle Road, Bistupur, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
Website: tatafootballacademy.com
Kolkata Football Academy (KFA): KFA attracts players from India as well as Overseas. KFA offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and national level coaches. While football remains top priority at KFA, academics are also taken care of and given due importance.
Address: Gopalpur, Kolkata
Website: kolkatafootballacademy.com
Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools: Located in various cities in India, it’s founded by former star Indian soccer player Bhaichung Bhutia. They offer professional soccer training for kids training from age 4 to 16.
Address: Many cities in India
Website: bbfootballschools.com
Premier Indian Football Academy (PIFA): Founded by Nirvan Shah, a prominent figure in Mumbai’s football community, the academy has tied up with globally renowned youth academy schools such as AC Milan Team Camp, Cruzeiro EC, Madrid Fundacion, Coaching Connexions and Rangers Soccer School. PIFA has organized camps in foreign cities such as Manchester, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, London.
Address: MG Road, Bombay Gymkhana, Mumbai
Website: pifa.co.in
Facilities for Adults
There are many working adults who try to play at least once a week nowadays. Adults who wish to play soccer will need to be a part of some local club. The good thing is that there are many local clubs that practice regularly; just reach out to them and hopefully, you can start playing with them.
However, the clubs might have their own teams and you may not get to play regularly in the beginning. But you should still go and watch them play as sooner or later they will provide you with the opportunity to play.
Friendly matches are usually not very common unless you’re a celebrity. Watch Mumbai Indians (cricket team) play football against the Bajaj Allianz Junior Team.
Also, remember that many soccer turfs do not offer changing facilities. Besides, one sweats a lot in Football, make sure you carry adequate space clothes and towels.
So, find out if there are any turfs/grounds near to where you stay. And if you spot people playing, just ask them whether you can join as well. It should be fine with most!
If you live in a cluster of buildings (housing colony), you will definitely find a bunch of youngsters there who play the game. Just join them and they should be okay with it.
If you happen to live in a locality with a significant Christian community, then you should consider yourself lucky. You will definitely find a bunch of guys playing football.
How about starting your own group? In case you miss it so much?
You just need to figure out a place where you can play regularly. Finding football enthusiasts should be the easy part!
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