Dutch may drop football academy

Jun 27, 2012 |

Kochi

Tags:

football

Kerala football’s miseries continue to mount. Lack of adequate facilities is likely to force the Dutch football association to drop its plan to set up an academy in the state.

Officials from the Royal Netherlands Football Association who visited various locations here have expressed ‘unhappiness’ at the lack of basic facilities in the state.

In the last three years, four international football bodies, including Real Madrid CF and FIFA itself had shown interest in setting up academies in the state, but dearth of infrastructure kept their plans hanging.

“The Dutch were willing to send their coaches and train our players if we provided the facilities. Sadly, after visiting the locations in Munnar, they seem unhappy,” said Anil Kumar, secretary of Kerala Football Association.

In 2009, FIFA agreed to roll out an artificial turf, provided an exclusive venue for football was identified by Kerala. The state failed to find even one good venue.

“International football bodies are keen on investing in the state. It is sad we have to watch them come, see and go back shaking their heads in disbelief,” said Kumar.

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