Tie-up of Mumbai academy with UK-based football entity

UK-based FCV International Football Academy, with former A-League coach Tony Walmsley at its helm, has launched its new venture in Mumbai in association with city-based SRS Sports to produce talent who can take up professional football.
"Raw talent needs to be identified and nurtured in a proper environment. My role is to first identify the talent," the Manchester-born Walmsley told reporters here today.
"Between myself and FCV, we're bringing a lot of expertise into the country," said Walmsley who has 25 years coaching experience, is a holder of an Asian Football Confederation Pro-diploma and has specialised in the development of talent at youth level in Europe and Oceania.

A four-day trial is to be conducted at the Lions Sports Complex in Santa Cruz here from September 28 by the FCV academy, it was announced.
According to Amit Desai, director of SRS Sports which is into coaching in cricket, football and tennis, there will be two types of squads - development and performance - with the latter geared up towards producing professional football players.
"Between 22 and 25 players would be picked in three age groups for the performance squad," said Desai who, however, refused to divulge how much each aspiring footballer will be charged for undergoing the stint with the UK-based club.

"That will be announced on September 28," he said.
SRS Sports currently has 22 football coaches headed by Firmin D'Souza, a committee member of the Mumbai District Football Association.