John Kila to head BFC residential academy

JSW Bengaluru FC, on Wednesday, announced their blueprint for a residential academy at the JSW Township in Vijayanagar, Bellary. The youth academy will be run under new head of youth development coach John Kila and will provide comprehensive care in terms of education and football development.

Kila, who has experience in developing talent in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Japan and West African Football Academy in Ghana, will be assisted by one foreign coach and the current coaches at the club.

The residential programme, which is free of cost, will feature the U-16 and U-18 age groups while the club will continue their normal programme for the younger age group in Bengaluru.

For the selection process, the club will conduct trials across the country, starting with Bengaluru before moving to Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab and Chandigarh and eventually conducting the final trials at their home base from where a maximum of 60 players will be selected.

The first leg of the trials in the city will be held between July 23-26 for U-16 players (eligibility: Jan. 2000-Dec. ’03) and July 27-30 for U-18 players (Jan. ’98-Dec. ’99). The talent scouting at other states will be held during August with the aim to get the programme functional in September.

“Youth Development has always been a part of the club’s philosoph. John (Kila) comes with a rich experience of having implemented youth programs at various clubs and we are sure that under his guidance, our youngsters will progress through the ranks and make it to the club’s first team and in time, the Indian national football team as well,” said BFC COO Mustafa Ghouse.

“This club wants to develop their own young players and I like that ambition. I am very excited about it and am looking forward to working with the players and the coaches,” remarked Kila.