Kozhikode, August 11: Pantheerankavu Football Training Centre emerged winners in the Under-10 and under-12 categories while Crescent Football Academy won the under-8 title in the Gokulam Baby Football League held at Ginga Turf in Karaparambu here.
The tournament was conducted as part of All India Football Federation initiative and had received tremendous response from various academies in Kozhikode. The group stage of the tournament was completed but due to Covid19 situation, the knockout stage was not held. The league leaders in each category were declared as winners.
OMFC Academy Malappuram, Orange Football Academy, and Rajiv Youth Brigade emerged runners-up in the U12, U10 and U8 categories respectively. Close to 200 players participated in the tournament.
Following players were adjudged best players in each categories
Under12 – Nihal (Friendly Football Academy)
Under10 – Sharon (Orange Football Academy)
Under8 – Athishav PK of COSC Sports Academy
Best goalkeeper – Sahil Muhammed Rahoof of Orange Academy
“Gokulam Baby League is one of the best tournaments we have participated. These kinds of tournaments helps kids to get to know about the game more. We thank the Gokulam management for giving us an opportunity to participate in this tournament,” said Bineesh, PFTC coach.
“We at Gokulam Kerala FC have a philosophy to promote and develop football from grassroot. The baby league was an example of it and we will continue in promoting such endeavours. Though we are not able to complete it as we have planned due to the pandemic, we were able to start something for the football community in Kozhikode,” said VC Praveen, the president of Gokulam Kerala FC.
About Golden Baby League
The Golden Baby Leagues project was launched in the year 2018 in association with FIFA’s development programme – FIFA Forward.
The Golden Baby Leagues Project is a long-term player development initiative that aims to grow a new generation of players, boys, and girls, that start playing football from a very young age. The project envisages that children get exposure to an age-appropriate number of games and playing formats as they grow older.
The Golden Baby Leagues is aimed for all stakeholders of Indian Football who are engaged with children within this age group, be it clubs, academies, schools, non-government organizations, parents, coaches, football fans. Anyone can organize the AIFF Golden Baby Leagues, anywhere in the country. The Leagues aim to provide access to football in the children’s locality irrespective of gender, religion, economic background or ethnic origin.
