The first-ever IFB Boca Football Champs – a nationwide search for the country’s next Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta, Riquelme and Carlos Tevez will culminate on the football turf in Goa.
Launched in December 2013 by IFB Industries Ltd, the initiative includes a national football tournament for school and college students across the country which will culminate in the finals this weekend at the football ground in Cuncolim. Sixteen teams from eight cities – Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Shillong, Pune and Goa – will battle it out in the sizzling Goan heat for the top spot on 4th May in Cuncolim, Goa.
IFB roped in the very best technical partners to carry out its sports mission – the Argentinian Club, Club Atlético Boca Juniors who have had players like the legendary Diego Maradona and other players including Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Sebastian Veron, Riquelme, Claudio Canigga, Gago and Carlos Tevez.
30 shortlisted players from the tournament will participate in a one week training camp in Goa conducted by coaches from Club Atlético Boca Juniors, out of which 14 players will travel to Buenos Aires to train under the coaches of Boca Juniors.
Over the last five months well known former international footballer who also played for top Indian clubs East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, and Head Scout at the IFB Boca Football Champs, Jamshid Nassiri, has been keeping a keen eye on the players at selections across the country scouting for potential talent.
With selections across eight cities, IFB Boca Football Champs saw over 4560 students and children, all keen footballers participate to get noticed by Jamshed Nassiri and coaches to secure a berth in the training camp.
16 winning teams in all, two from each city (winners of the school and college tournament in each of the cities) have made it to the grand finals in Goa. DAV School and Khalsa College from Chandigarh; CRPF Rohini and Maharaja Agrasen from Delhi; Jangram High School and Barasat College from Kolkata; JN Petit and Bishops from Pune; ASC Boys and Al Ameen from Bangalore; MSPHSS Mallapuram and MES College Mampad from Kozhikode; Shillong College HSS and Shillong College from Shillong and Fr. Agnel School Pilar and Rosary College Navelim from Goa will lock horns on the 3rd and 4th of May in Cuncolim.
The tournament saw a total of 270 schools and 186 colleges battle it out to make it to the final 16 teams who are being hosted in Goa this weekend to play the finals.
Said IFB officials, “The IFB Boca Football Champs initiative has enabled us to reach out to and bring together talented players from several parts of the country to uncover some of the best and dynamic football talent. Many of the promising players come from economically backward sections of society for whom this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are happy to facilitate and offer this incredible break to the players. We have always believed that India has immense sporting talent. Through our association with one of the world’s best football club Club Atlético Boca Juniors from Argentina and the amazingly talented Jamshid Nassiri we look forward to nurturing football talent in the country.”
Added Jamshid Nassiri, Head Scout, IFB Boca Football Champs, “The level of football we have seen over the last few months is encouraging. During the course of the selections and trials across cities, we have come across some wonderfully talented football players who could become stars in the future”
The IFB Boca Football Champs initiative kicked off in December 2013 is a grassroots level football tournament organized by IFB Industries in association with Argentinean club, Club Atlético Boca Juniors. The sports initiative drew over 4,000 players from 270 schools and 186 colleges from 8 cities across the country.
About IFB Industries
IFB Industries initiated in 1991 with a vision to revolutionise the way Indians lived. Over two decades, we have grown in strength to become a word synonymous with home solutions. Through a constant evolution in the very best in Washing Machines, 100% Clothes dryers, Dishwashers, Microwave ovens, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Chimneys & Modular Kitchens we have helped usher in a lifestyle of convenience and freedom.
Today more than 3 million Indian households own IFB products, making us one of the most trusted home appliances brands in the country. Our service network of 450 franchises and 2200 service engineers ensures we deliver exceptional quality of service across the country.
About IFB Boca Football Champs
IFB in association with Boca Juniors has launched the IFB Boca Football Champs. A football tournament for schools and colleges intended to reward talented kids with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train under the Boca Junior coaches, travel to Argentina and play friendlies with the club.
The tournament that commenced on December 4th, 2013 at Chandigarh took place in eight cities – Chandigarh, Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong, Pune, Goa, Bangalore & Kozikode. The finals are scheduled to be played in Goa on 3rd and 4th May 2014.
30 shortlisted children and students from the tournament will participate in a 2 week training camp in Goa, out of which 14 children and students will travel to Buenos Aires.