Kerala Blasters’ Rino, Milan, Karan, Subhasish and Siam relive golden days at academy
Jamshedpur, Jan. 19: Jamshedpur FC chief executive officer Mukul Choudhari on Thursday said that since its establishment in 1987, Tata Football Academy (TFA), considered the mecca for Indian footballers, has produced over 137 national players and around one-third of the Indian players in ISL are ex-TFA cadets. Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Subrata Paul himself is a TFA cadet and is representing India at the highest level for many years. Seeing our rich legacy, we are planning to hold reunion for all our former cadets. ‘The planning is still in its initial stage but soon we will hold a meeting with the management and as the Indian Super League season gets over a reunion can be organised so that they can relive their golden days spent at the academy.
Former cadets of Tata Football Academy (TFA) never miss a chance to appreciate the hard work put in by the coaches and management of India’s football nursery. Known as the mecca of Indian football, TFA has produced more than 130 professional footballers to the country. Be it Indian Super League (ISL) or I-league, TFA cadets are present in every professional team of the country. Jamshedpur FC’s goalkeeper Subrata Paul is also a TFA product.
Players of every ISL team who visit Jamshedpur don�t miss a chance to visit their academy which has given them everything and spend memorable time and get emotional remembering the days they spend at the academy.
TFA ground is also the practice venue for the visiting and home team during the ISL matches. The academy holds special place in the hearts of many Indian footballers as they have been groomed at the famed academy.
Thursday was not an exception as players in Kerala Blasters team who are former cadets of TFA including the likes of defender Rino Anto, goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, midfielder Milan Singh, Karan Sawhney and Siam Hangal seemed delighted to back in the city which holds good memories for them. All the players entered their rooms where they spent their golden four-years. The current batch of cadets accorded warm welcome to their seniors.
Karan Sawhney informed as to how P Vijay Kumar took their class. Rino Anto gestured towards two rooms and said that they called it a control room where warden and administrator were present.
Subhasish Roy Chowdhury giving tips to the current TFA batch said, even though when someone tries to control you then you must be feeling bad but the knowledge they impart will benefit in the longer run in making of a professional footballer. Chowdhury asked the cadets to always remain grounded and told the gathering as to how Vijay sir taught him to plat cross shot.
Rino Anto of 2008 batch said that this is the place from where he started his career and old memories flash back when we return to TFA and Jamshedpur.
He said, the four years they spent in the academy were golden
Rino Alto also took to Twitter on Wednesday just ahead of the ISL clash against Jamshedpur FC to express his delight at being able to return to the Tata Football Academy (TFA). His excitement was clearly visible from his social media post.
He wrote, ‘TATA Football Academy was my first ever platform and coming back here brings back many good memories. Life really does come full circle. :)’.
Anto who has played for a number of Indian clubs graduated from the academy in 2008, after which he has played for many top clubs including Mohun Bagan and now the Kerala Blasters.
Delhi Dynamos’ Vinit and Simranjeet to meet cadets
Delhi Dynamos midfielder Simranjeet Singh and central midfielder Vinit Rai who are graduates of Tata Football Academy arrived in Jamshedpur on Friday for the ISL match against host Jamshedpur FC on January 21. Mukul Choudhari, CEO, Jamshedpur Football Club (JFC), said, ‘two players in the Delhi Dynamos side are former TFA cadets. Simranjeet Singh and Vinit Rai who have spent four years here will be welcomed at the academy and will meet the current batch. The tradition will continue and will invite former TFA cadets who are representing the ISL teams’.
The Tata Football Academy has paved the way for plenty of Indian footballers and seeing them acknowledge the same is always a great thing for fans to witness.
Considered the mecca for Indian footballers, TFA has produced over 137 national players and around one-third of the Indian players in ISL are ex-TFA cadets. Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Subrata Paul himself is a TFA cadet and is representing India at the highest level for many years.
