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Juhu schoolboys kick in youth world cup berth in Sweden

Two teams from Juhu Parle Education Society’s Utpal Sanghvi School have been selected to represent India in Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, considered to be the world's largest youth international football world cup with over 40,000 players and more than 65 countries.

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Mumbai boys are all set to score a dream goal on international turf. Two teams (under 14 and under 16) from Juhu Parle Education Society’s Utpal Sanghvi School have been selected to represent India in Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, considered to be the world’s largest youth international football world cup with over 40,000 players and more than 65 countries.

The school is using scientific strategies to mentally prepare the students to play a match of this stature.

Interestingly, this is the first time that two teams from the same school have been invited to play in this prestigious tournament. As many as 24 students from the Juhu school were selected by the scouts at trials held in May at Goa. “This is the first time that any school from the country is going as a unit to the championship. We have a very talented group of players; they have been hand-picked by some of the best coaches in India,” said Umesh Shamraj, school coach, who has been qualified by the Brazil Football Association and has played at the national level.

Surprisingly, it is also the first international appearance for most of these students except one Rushant Masand who one of the teams’ goalkeeper and had been selected last year for a special football programme in Manchester. The rest of the students are nervous as they have never played in a game of this stature before, added Shamraj. “There is a chance that the students might get intimidated by the huge, crowded stadium, the foreign turf and most of all the aggressive game-playing and athletic build of the European players,” he said.

Divyansh Shah, 14, says that he is worried about making a mistake on the ground. “We could be competing with football giants like Argentina and Brazil. My only worry is that I will make a mistake on the ground.” And Malhar Rane, who is appearing for his SSC exams this year, said that he is worried about playing in the huge stadium.

Through gruelling practise sessions, one-on-one counselling and fitness sessions by prominent doctors, and grooming sessions, the school is doing its best to prepare the teams. They have been exempted from studies for a month; they do not have to attend classes. Instead they have to practise from 7am to 1pm. The coach shows them video clips of previous matches of the tournament to understand their competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, and motivational films. The school has also recorded a motivational song, which the students will be able to listen to on their cell phones.

Congratulating the selected students and their coach, principal Abha Dharampal, said, “It’s an excellent opportunity for the students. Parents, generally, have an attitude that such foreign tours are like going on a holiday, but we have asked them to look at this match as not just another foreign competition but as an opportunity that will shape their children’s personalities. Such competitions mould students and teach them about leadership.”

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