CFA adjudged best academy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14

In a major boost for the UT Sports Department, the Federation of Football Coaches of India (FFCI) has adjudged the Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA) the Best Football Academy for the year 2017. 

The city-based academy was rewarded for its achievements in the past two years. 

The FFCI is affiliated to the All India Football Federation.

The academy, under the guidance of former India international and coach Harjinder Singh and Gurpreet Bedi and Sandeep Singh, has produced 29 international players in its recent history. 

“It’s a great achievement for these young kids and also for our department. This is the outcome of the hard work done by every person involved with the academy. I hope our boys will continue to excel in their field,” said Sports Director Captain Karnail Singh.

The state-run football and hockey academies have brought laurels to the city on many occasions, but in the recent past, many of the players left these academies midway through their contract.

Experts believe that “lack of tournaments” and “unprofessional attitude” of the department dented the players’ interests. However, the Sports Department is now changing its policy to provide more tournaments to the players. It is also looking to register the players through federations to keep their interest alive. 

The Chandigarh Football and Hockey Academy was established under the initiative taken by Lt Gen JFR Jacob, the then Governor of Punjab and Chandigarh Administrator. The first batch was inducted in the year 2000 and with the passage of time the academy has become a favourite destination for the budding players, particularly from the North East.

Joint Director, Sports, Mahender Singh, and District Sports Officer Ravinder Singh, congratulated the players for the achievement and hoped the institute would continue to bring laurels to the city in future as well.