Soccer gets a leg up in state

Vadodara: Wannbe Messis from Gujarat can look forward to international-level coaching in the city now.
For the first time, globally renowned coaches from an international football association will train budding footballers in the city.
City-based Rangers Football Club, which has set up Rangers Football Academy, has tied-up with United States' Savannah United Elite Soccer, one of the premier soccer academies and the football development partner with Chelsea Football Club.
Director of Savannah United, Gary Wright who is also a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) 'A' level licensed coach since 20 years and Darren Bloodworth, an A-level licensed coach by Union of European Football Association (UEFA), will come to Vadodara for a coaching camp beginning November 28.
Rangers Football Club will conduct a coaching camp for girls and boys from four years of age to 17 years. It is limited to 50 players who will undergo the coaching from November 28 to December 1 at Manjalpur Sports Complex.
Bloodworth is a coach's instructor for the Football Association, the UK and UK's Norwich City and will be overlooking the developing and licensing the academy coaches in the country under Football Association, UK.
"The tie-up is aimed at promoting football culture in Gujarat. Our academy will now follow their training modules so that our students and players can train and learn sportsmanship at the highest levels," said Mukesh Patel, who had established Rangers Football Club in 1984 as a young football enthusiast.
"Local coaches will be invited to experience and attend the coaching camp for future licensing program," said Patel, adding that Wright has been training players since 20 years.
"Participants will receive kit and a certificate on completion of the camp. Topics that will be covered during the camp will be technical warm up, passing, ball control, receiving, shooting, finishing and small sides games," he said.