16 under-15 footballers chosen to play against Italian clubs

The chosen Indian team would compete against various Italian clubs including Inter Milan.

Over 6,500 students in the age group of 10-15 years from 377 schools across 15 cities in India took part in the five-month talent hunt.

Fifteen teams competed in the national leg with four from each zone making the finals held in Shillong to shortlist 37.

Former East Bengal star and retired Iranian footballer Jamshid Nassiri headed the talent scout, while Inter coaches Marco Monti and Massimo Ciocci assisted as the lot was pruned to a final 16-member squad following a week-long camp that concluded here today.

 

This was the fifth season of the national talent hunt by 'Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars' initiative.

"This has emerged as India's biggest talent hunt in five years. Our association with Inter Milan gives these youngsters access to top coaching and an opportunity to go to Milan for a worldclass football experience," Vikram Grover, vice-president marketing, Tata Global Beverages said.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Frolic Sondkhar, Garry Kynta (both Shillong); Defenders: Nishu Kumar (Chandigarh), Gursevak Singh (c) (Ludhiana), Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Yami Longvah (both Shillong); Midfielders: Prakash Nayak (Bhubaneswar), Praneet Purohit (Delhi), Lalrintluanja (Shillong), Raju Biswas, Bonti Mondal, Premananda Singho (all Kolkata); Forwards: Saurav T P (Calicut), Yash Sardesai (Pune), Aswini Bhola (Lucknow) and Machung Tshering Bhutia (Gangtok).