The DreamChasers football talent hunt, which is being launched by Proforce, has received a shot in the arm, thanks to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH&MRI) joining hands to provide medical assistance to the young trainees during the initiative’s selection process, which is scheduled to commence this weekend.
Sports physiotherapists and sports medicine experts from the Dhirubhai Ambani Medical Centre will be present at all the venues that will conduct the selection trials.
Dr. Santosh Shetty, CEO of the KDAH&MRI, mentioned that the Ambani Institute was pleased to be associated with this initiative and keen to offer their services to the youngsters. “We are basically the leading Sports Medical Centre in the country, both technically and manpower. Top sportspersons have been treated with us and have sought our consultations. I am glad that this association, it will now provide us the opportunity to work with upcoming sporting talent in the country,” stated Doctor Shetty.
“Besides treating injuries we will also be working towards giving guidance to the trainees. We will hold special sessions and explain to them the importance of fitness, performance improvement and most important aspect, injury prevention,” Dr. Shetty further mentioned.
Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, the mentor of DreamChasers said: “It’s paramount for a footballer or any sportsperson to have their injuries treated by the best professionals. I recently recovered from an injury and I know how disappointing it is when you cannot enjoy playing the sports you like best because of injuries. Thanks to the Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital coming on board as the medical partner, the kids participating in the ‘DreamChasers’ selection trials will have nothing to worry.”
Capt. Nitin Pant, Co founder and chief Stratergy officer, Proforce, says, “We at Proforce are delighted that the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has decided to be part of our initiative. The Ambani Hospital is one of the best medical centre in the country with high qualified team of doctors, specialized in treating sports related injuries and rehabilitation of sportspersons. Their presence during the selection process would benefit the children as they can be assured of getting the best possible care in case of injuries.”
The first round of selection trials for candidates from Mumbai will be organized at theCambridge School grounds, Kandivali, on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24.
The selection trials in Thane will be conducted on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.
The Cooperage ground is the venue for children from Mumbai (South & Central Region) and will be held on Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4.
After the completion of the first round of trials in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane regions, DreamChasers will conduct trials (1st rounds) in Pune (July 9-10), Kolhapur (July 16-17), Baroda (July 2) and Gandhinagar (July 3).
The first round of selection trials for candidates from Kerala, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati will be conducted in August.
DreamChasers, is mentored by Indian Football captain Sunil Chhetri as the Brand Ambassador, and will be associated with Europe’s top club, Sporting Clube de Portugal (SCP), which will provide the coaching staff and will be responsible for providing the highest standards of international football coaching as well as technical support to 15 selected boys in the 8-14 years age group for a period of 5 years.
Initially, DreamChasers hopes to target around 30,000 young footballers across all centres in the first round of selection, which will analyse the football skills of the trainees according to the Sporting Clube de Portugal (SCP) curriculum. 3000 trainees will qualify for round two at an average of 200 per venue. From these, 45 will be picked for round three, who will be screened in Mumbai by talent scouts from SCP. From these 45 the best 15 will be selected.
The final 15 players will be entitled to a 14-days sponsored training camp at SCP. They will also be inducted into the special training program, which is a commitment for five years. These 15 will be based at the residential training centre of Proforce in Kolhapur, where, besides football training, their education as well as lodging and boarding will also be looked after. The program will include 10 months of football training in Kolhapur and one month of free training every year at SCP.
The final lot of selected footballers will be nurtured and undergo professional 360 degree training until the age of 18 at the residential training centre of Proforce — housed at the Dr. Cyrus Poonawala International School in Kolhapur.
A coach from SCP will be sent to stay with the trainees in Kolhapur with an Indian as his assistant.
Selection trials (First round) schedule:
April 23-24: Mumbai (Western Region) — at the Cambridge School grounds, Kandivali.
April 30-May 1: Thane region
May 3-4: Mumbai (South & Central Region) – at the Cooperage ground, Churchgate-Colaba.
July 9-10: Pune.
July 16-17: Kolhapur.
July 2: Baroda.
July 3: Gandhinagar.
The first round of selection trials for candidates from Kerala, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati will be conducted in August.
For more information, please contact:
Capt. Nitin Pant (CSO Proforce): 9769968484