Powerhouse of prodigies

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For the helmsmen at Universal Soccer School in Kozhikode, football is a culture through which one develops one’s attitude towards society.

“One of the major aspects we focus on in the training sessions of the players is their attitude development on the field. We believe that only through a different training method can the football in the state be developed,” says Deepak C.M., the soccer school’s coach.

The different training methods the school has employed from its inception in 1996 have helped several players to play for the national teams, state teams and various I-league clubs.

“We have been training a great number of players for free over the last 15 years and the school has turned out to be a powerhouse of prodigies. Several clubs, Viva Kerala (now Chirag United Kerala), SBT, Malabar United, Pune FC and Prayag United SC have selected players who have learned the basics of football from our camps,” he says.

Apart from this several players from the school are playing in the State and district teams. Mohammed Nissam and Jithin Raj are two players from the school who have played for the Indian team.

The school, which is the brainchild of Olympian Rahman, conducts regular, summer and monsoon camps in the district. The school’s team is also the current district champions, a league championship and the All India Futsol Tournament.

“We attend at least four or five tournaments a year at the all India level to give our players the maximum exposure. Our aim is to groom them and make them capable of showcasing their talent with full confidence,” he says.

About 80 students will be trained in the summer camp. “About 500 students come for selection to the summer camp. However, we only have the capacity for 80 students. We are happy to see the interest shown by the students. To get the best out of them, we must have good training and support from the parents,” Deepak C.M. pointed out.

The student intake is 40 during the monsoon camp. Apart from this, the school has regular training for students in the junior and senior categories. “About 50 students take part in our daily training,¨ he said.

The school is run by four football coaches and with sponsorships. Harish Rahman, Ajith Raj and Vijith are the other trainers. Deepak C.M. stresses that they do not want to develop as a professional club.

“We are doing voluntary work and do not want to take the school to the club level. We would rather concentrate on grooming the players and help them to perform to their optimum on the field,” he says.