IMG-Reliance has invited all 26 members of the now disbanded Under-23 development team of the All India Football Federation to train along with their 40 contracted players for their upcoming IPL-style League at the Cooperage in Mumbai.
AIFF’s Under-23 outfit Arrows were pulled out ahead of the2013-14 season’s I-League on August 29 due to financial condition of their primary sponsor, the Pailan Group.
Soon after the decision to disband Arrows, the AIFF had made all the 26 players available to I-League clubs on loan, to enable the youngsters another chance of participating in the season.
However, none of the I-League clubs came forward to rope them in, and as a result IMG-R took the decision to step in to help the youngsters. “The IMG-Reliance management strongly felt that these youngsters — the future Indian footballers — need not go through the mental stress over the uncertainties and it would be ideal to have them here in Mumbai to continue focus on their skills, game and fitness,” a statement said.
The Arrows, along with their six-member support staff headed by Sanjoy Sen (coach), would start training on Friday with 35 other contracted players, who began the second leg of their training camp on September 10 under Trevor Morgan.
Five other players, who were part of India team that finished runners-up in the Saff Championship on Wednesday at Kathmandu, will also join the camp on Friday.