Kolkata Goalz Project organized by McDowell Mohun Bagan

December 2011 was a very exciting month for the trainees, coaches and volunteers of McDowell Mohun Bagan Kolkata Goalz Team since there were a flurry of events to mark and celebrate the festive season alongwith the regular and serious activities. In short, there were ample opportunities to learn, explore and enjoy at the same time.

1.    REGULAR TRAINING

Football practice and physical fitness regime was carried out on 10 days at Hrishikesh Park on 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st and 23rd December 2012 in the evening as per schedule. The average attendance improved to a healthy tally of 40 during the month. On 23rd December, the Team came to visit the Club Ground in the Maidan where they played a friendly match against the Junior Team of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club which participates in various youth competitions. The team lost 6-1 against the superior Club Youth Team which has been practicing regularly for more than a year and comprises of talented players selected from trial, but it gave them a chance to understand their mistakes and above all got a competitive feel on the same ground where the Senior Football Team also practices and plays.

2.    WINTER CAMP

The five Coaches of Kolkata Goalz Project organized by McDowell Mohun Bagan at Hrishikesh Park, Kolkata after imparting three months of mentoring, training and  interacting closely with the trainees, have short listed the following 8 talented trainees for further training at Winter Camp:
 
•    Mohammed Ibran
•    Md. Saifal Ahmed Ansari
•    Md. Imtiaz Hussain
•    Md. Shah Faisal
•    Dilshad Rahmani
•    Shah Faisal Raza
•    Md. Shadab
•    Sk. Safiullah
 
Apart from the thrice a week training imparted at Hrishikesh Park to all the trainees, these 8 trainees are taken to Dum Dum for expert football training, guidance and gymnasium workout twice a week on pre-determined days. The training is closely supervised by our Coach Ms. Indrani Sarkar at a ground near her home. Refreshments are provided exclusively by Ms. Sarkar, which further highlights her commitment and approach towards this Project.

The Winter Camp will be held from mid December 2011 to mid January 2012.

3. EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO RAHUL BIDYANIKETAN, BARUIPUR: BABIES DAY OUT

On Sunday, 18th December, 2011, an Educational Trip was conducted for the trainees, volunteers and coaches of Kolkata Goalz organized by McDowell Mohun Bagan at Durbaar Home (Rahul Bidyaniketan) at Baruipur where there are other underprivileged children present. These children get football training regularly. The boys would feature in this year’s IFA Nursery League and the girls in the Women’s League.

The 50 members of the Kolkata Goalz Team reached Rahul Bidyaniketan at Baruipur at about 10 am.

After brief introduction, exchange of pleasantries with each other, and photo session, the Kolkata Goalz trainees presented a gift of comic books to their friends at Rahul Bidyaniketan. Thereafter, the trainees of both the teams played 5-a-side football match with unlimited substitutions, amidst cheering from the spectators. Everyone got a chance to display his skills. So infectious was the atmosphere that the football match continued beyond agreed timings. Even the girls of Rahul Bidyaniketan featured in the last match against the younger boys of the Kolkata Goalz Team.

After the football matches, movie show of “The Jail”, an award winning hard hitting movie directed by Ms Alakananda Ray was presented to all present. The movie, based on a true story, highlighted the suffering of those confined beyond the four walls of prison and Ms. Ray’s sincere efforts to motivate criminals and help them become better human beings. The audience was in a contemplative mood at the end of the movie.

After sumptuous lunch taken together, the Kolkata Goalz Team were taken to a visit round the vast premises, which comprised of agricultural fields, dairy farm, fishing ponds etc.

The audience thereafter were shown Hindi version of the fun movie, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”. The children had a gala time enjoying the movie.

Finally at 5 pm, the Kolkata Goalz Team bid goodbye to their new friends with the promise to meet again in the near future.

The Babies of Kolkata Goalz had a Day out and they thoroughly enjoyed the Educational Trip.

4.    CHRISTMAS WITH CHARLIE CHAPLIN

The 1st International Children’s Film Festival was held at Nandan I, Kolkata during the last week of December 2011. The trainees watched two evergreen movies of Charlie Chaplin: “Gold Rush” on 25th December and “The Kid” on 27th December.

Kolkata Police extended all help and support to provide vehicle for to-and-fro travel of the youngsters.

5.    I LEAGUE MATCH

On 28th December 2011, McDowell Mohun Bagan hosted Air India at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in a crucial I League (National Football League) match. Kolkata Police yet again extended all support which ensured that the trainees got to cheer for their Team and their star players who won 3-1 in a thrilling encounter.

6.    LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING

On 30th December 2011, personnel from British Council conducted English language proficiency tests for the trainees. This event was conducted at the Metropolitan Institute, Kolkata near Hrishikesh Park. The selected trainees would be given special 30 hours training in English by British Council, Kolkata. The classes are expected to begin from Friday, 13th January 2011 onwards for 16 weeks (only on Fridays).

7.    SEASON’S GREETINGS

The trainees got into groups and showed great skills and endeavor in creating Season’s Greetings Cards which was subsequently sent to the Senior authorities involved with the Project. The trainees now look to more such opportunities to showcase their talents in various fields.