Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
New Delhi: The All India Football Federation is set to mark the completion of three months of its grassroots programme in Navi Mumbai with its 12th grassroots festival on Saturday, October 19, 2013.
Sixty eight children and 20 officials took part in the 11th grassroots festival conducted by the AIFF Regional Academy at the venue last Saturday, with parents adding colour to the initiative by donning festival official hats and working as volunteers.
Players from football teams from a nearby college were also at hand to make the festival a lively success for the children some of whom were getting their first taste of the beautiful game.
The children, aged six to eight, were divided into eight teams and guided through a series of six activity grids, with three of them featuring 5v5 matches and three focusing on technical ability using fun-based drills.
The primary focus of the weekly festivals is to introduce newcomers into football at a young age, create a safe environment for them to play in and most importantly ensure that the children enjoy the beautiful game.
The weekly festival has been a regular event at the venue by the AIFF Regional Academy since the first outing held in early August.
The AIFF’s initiative is part of the celebration and observation of the AFC Grassroots Year 2013 during which Member Associations are encouraged to organise activities to promote and emphasise that football is accessible and socially beneficial to everyone and that a strong foundation will allow players to progress to the elite level.
Photo: AIFF