Inter officials are on their way to Bangalore after hosting a two day day coaching clinic as part of a fact finding trip to India. The delegation, led by Inter technical director Marco Monti are in India to scout talent for their proposed academy which is to be located in Hosur this May.
Inter are working alongside Playon Skills, a company aimed at promoting youth football in an attempt establish the project. “The academy will be inaugurated in May. Top stars including Javier Zanetti may make it here in time for the launch. The academy will be styled on the lines of Inter’s youth academy in Italy,” said a Playon official. Once the academy is established, Inter coaches are also planning to make the short trip down to Chennai every week to host weekend coaching clinics.
Inter are planning three facilities including this academy to establish themselves fully in India. “The possibility of three permanent academies in India is being studied, along with several football schools. Bangalore is the first one being examined, and 17 other locations have also been identified for the football schools,” said a statement released by the Italian club.
The academy will be the latest addition to Inter’s multi-national grassroots programme and will be the second such facility in Asia, after an academy was opened in Japan. This isn’t the Nerazzurri’s first endeavour in India either as they had earlier initiated the Inter Milan-Tata Tea Soccer Star youth tournament. Sixteen of the best players from the tournament were able to train with the club in Italy and play friendly matches.
Source: TheNewIndianExpress.com
