Caption: (Standing from Left to Right) Navaneeda Goundar (Nadi Football Association President), Javed Ahmed (Organizer), Kamal Swamy (Nadi Football Head Coach), Marika, Bella Thomas at the soccer clinic at Nadi Muslim Primary School ground. Photo: JOSEPHINE NAVULA.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Nadi Football Youth Academy not only kick started their first ever clinic but also received their first ever sponsor donation of $3000 from regular Nadi Football League donor, Bella Thomas.
“I have been a major sponsor for Nadi Football League for the past two years and now it’s really a pleasure for me to sponsor these young ones,” she said.
Thomas said this is a good time to nurture the youngsters and also show support to them.
“I’m here to help and boost this academy in terms of finance, because in that way it will also grow,” she said.
Also present at the clinic, Nadi Football Association President, Navaneeda Goundar said he is surprised at the number of children who turned up at the ground.
“We have been lacking this for the past years, and I’m really happy at the turn out here today. I am also happy about the sponsor to develop these young players,” he said.
Organizer, Javed Ahmed said they will later have uniforms supplied to the children.
“We are planning that after four weeks of training we will supply these children with uniforms, soccer boots, and we will form teams for different age groups and have Junior League for them,” he said.
Ahmed said they will also arrange for coaching clinics for those interested, and also for girls to come and join the clinics.
Nadi Football Head Coach, Kamal Swamy is urging females to come and be part of the clinic.
“I am kindly urging high school to come and join in the soccer clinics being held here,” he said.
Bella Thomas also donated $2000 to the Nadi Ladies Football Team.