Kashmir has world-class soccer potential: Brazilian coach

By IANS

Srinagar : Brazilian football coach Juan Marcos Troia believes Kashmir has immense talent and if trained properly the Valley could produce ace international players in the days to come.


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Troia started his coaching camp here Saturday at the Polo Ground football field.

Hundreds of aspiring soccer stars surrounded the famous coach to learn a trick or two to click at the fiercely competitive game of soccer.

"I have come across immensely talented footballers here who have the interest and the potential to make it to the international level," Troia told reporters.

Interestingly, he said the Kashmir Valley had better practice grounds than even Brazil and Argentina, the two leading soccer nations of the world.

"There the children play on the roads and on bare land. You have such fine fields here," he said.

The famous football coach said budding international level footballers in Kashmir needed round the year coaching and because of the weather conditions here, it would only be possible if a mini stadium is built where the boys could train even during the winter months.

He also said local boys who showed promise would be sent to the famous Sao Paulo football academy in Brazil.

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