Former Indian star footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo believes that the on-going leg of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) 2024-25 in Kashmir gives an ideal platform to assess the players who are ready to play outside of Jammu & Kashmir.
This is the second time that the RFYS football tournament is taking
place in the Union Territory and Wadoo was impressed with the quality
of talent on display last season. He is predicting the competition to
produce massive impact in the current term, saying that several young
players were eagerly looking forward to the competition this year.
“Last year it was very successful and received a great response.
Players enjoyed and had a great experience. We needed such tournaments
for the youth. I also witnessed a few games and had a great
experience. It will have a great impact this season too as everyone is
waiting to participate. I am sure this season we will get to see
players who are ready to play outside Jammu & Kashmir,” Wadoo said in
an interview with the RFYS.
“Girls must continue to play such competitions to improve”
One of the key features of the RFYS chapter in Kashmir was the U-19
age-group event for girls. Wadoo garnered some key takeaways from
those matches last year, adding that several female footballers
participating in the games have the potential to play for professional
clubs and even the national team. He, however, explained that they
need to be trained adequately.
“Of course it was incredible to see girls participate too. I saw the
finals last season and got to see some good quality players who can
play for outside clubs and the national team as well if groomed
properly. Yes, in order to improve they must continue to play such
competitions,” Wadoo said.
Wadoo has underlined that the expertise of the coaching personnel
needs improvement to optimally harness the potential of the players in
the region. He praised the competitive playing environment provided by
the RFYS, and explained, “I think the main thing we are lacking is
quality coaching and competition. And definitely we have to improve in
both areas. RYFS is giving us competition for both boys and girls and
that is great but surely we must take steps to improve the quality of
coaching.”
The ongoing matches in the U-15 boys’ age group saw SRM Welkin School,
Lonestar Football Academy, GHFC Ganderbal, Green Valley Educational
Institute & JK Public School all registering resounding wins while SA
Academy Ganderbal and NIP School played out a 1-1 draw.
The seventh season of RFYS football is underway in 10 regions
including Mumbai, North & South Kerala, Goa, Mizoram, Meghalaya,
Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata & Kashmir. The matches in Kashmir kicked
off on 21st December, marking the second year of the competition in
the Union Territory. This time, the tournament in Kashmir comprises 32
teams in total across both age groups in girls & boys with the matches
being played in a league format.
