PRESS RELEASE
ASD Cape Town
ASD Cape Town's U19 Indian International Brandon Fernandes has made global news as he trains with Leicester City Football Club in the English Championship. Fernandes is one of two Indian players on ASD's books, having been discovered by the Academy in early 2010 at the age of 16. With Fernandes move into pro-soccer now imminent, ASD are keen to make further impact into the development of young players from the sub-continent of India.
This week, ASD Coach Dave Waters is in Fernandes' homeland Goa, scouting future talent for the Academy. From what he has seen during his first 24 hours, Waters is convinced there are some 'strong players' with a lot of potential in the area.
A trial match featuring Goa's 'best' 1996 and 1997's was arranged in Waters honour at a 40,000 seater Goan stadium yesterday, and as a result, Waters was able to identify a number of talented young players. Waters expressed how impressed he was by the warmth of the locals and their motivation of wanting to see more boys, like Fernandes, 'go on to better things'.
Waters met with representatives from Fernandes' junior club, Salgaocar, who presently seem to offer the best route forward in Indian soccer, with 5 current National players having graduated from their ranks. Waters said: "At Salgaocar there is a high emphasis on discipline and character, and I am told they are the best for youth development in India".
ASD Director Mike Steptoe, who has been carefully monitoring youth development in India for the last 2 years said: "We are keen to develop a relationship with Salgaocar, and support their work by providing coaching education, and consultation on structures and philosophy. They did a great job with Brandon at Junior level, and we are committed to assisting them with future generations of players".
Waters will now spend the next 2 days coaching the players who caught his eye in yesterday's game, before fielding them as a squad on Sunday to see how they fair against strong opposition. Waters hopes to return to Cape Town with recommendations for Technical Director, Douglas Williams.
Of ASD's growing links with Goa, Steptoe says: "We would love ASD to have a greater impact on youth development in Goan football, as there is some great, untapped potential in that area. Brandon is doing great things in flying the flag for Goa, and other youngsters deserve the opportunity to develop their dreams".
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