Delhi Youth
League Kick Starts First Football League For Children Under Fourteen
New Delhi, 3 December 2012: The opening
ceremony of Delhi Youth League, first competitive football league for children
under-14 age group was organized at the Delhi Public School, R.K Puram, New
Delhi. The League has been started by Paul Schuttenbelt a Dutch Expat, in
cooperation with Kutumb Foundation and The Embassy of The Netherlands.
Mr.
Paul Schuttenbelt – Director, Urban Solutions said, “The
objective behind setting up Delhi Youth League is to develop the sport of
football at the grass root levels in India. We believe the best teacher is the
game itself, and therefore, our aim is to give equal opportunity to children
from different economic backgrounds to come and play through a fun and learning
based system.”
Supporting
the initiative, Mr. Alphonsus Stoelinga – The Ambassador of The
Netherlands said, “Sports are an important part of life for many Dutch
people and football is the most popular sport. We feel proud to be part of the
Delhi Youth League,and look forward to more competitive matches between
the kids, to uplift the sports culture and promote it more in India.”
Setting the tone further, Dr. D.R.
Saini - Principal, Delhi Public School R.K Puram said, "Such
tournaments are crucial in order to tap young footballing talent in this
country and we are proud to be the host school for an event like this.”
The Delhi youth league will has over 24
teams in 4 age groups, under 8, under 10 under 12 and under 14. The daylong
tournament was one way to gauge how football is beginning to get popular as it
saw participation from various schools, neighbourhood teams, NGO’s and groups
of friends playing matches of 20 minutes duration.
As a follow up DYL will now start on
13th January where matches are held every Sunday over a period
of four months starting January 2013.
At the inaugural day, young kids,
kitted and equipped with shin-pads, look relaxed but focused. And with the
coaches and enthusiastic parents cheering from the sidelines at their young
players, the air around the place seemed fun yet professional. Players came
from various social, cultural and economic backgrounds, but on the field it was
the spirit of the game that was overpowered the differences.
Present at the
launch were Mr.
Chima Okorie - Former professional football striker and Wim Koevermans – Chief
Coach of Indian Football team.
The winners of the tournament were;
·
Under 8: Kutumb Foundation
·
Under 10: DPS R.K Puram;
·
Under 12: Bhaichung Bhutia Football
Schools
·
Under 14: Kutumb Foundation
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