14 June,2010 09:35 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
Members of local football clubs watch World Cup closely to pick up new techniques
FIFA fever has gripped the city and 130 local football clubsu00a0 are all geared up to enjoy the show. From amateurs to professionals, every one wants to learn from the matches being played in South Africa.
"One of our directors will be in South Africa till the semi-finals," said Amjad Akkalkotkar, director of Go Sports academy. "Once he is back, we will have presentations on the matches played there."u00a0u00a0
Members of clubs across the city plan to watch the matches together and make notes on the games. Rohit Sahasrabuddhe, a member of Chetak Football Club, said that it was a great opportunity for football lovers to watch international players display their talents. "We get to learn new tricks, trends and striking methods." he said.
"It's a month-long festival for us and 25 members meet every day to watch the matches," said Naved Shaikh, owner, Mischief's Makers Club. "We have debates during the one and a half hour of the match."u00a0u00a0
With the premier league on till next week, clubs are already implementing the new techniques in their matches. Deccan XI Football Club coach Anil Deshpande said that the timing was perfect. "The players are employing the new techniques on display in the World Cup in their ongoing matches," he said.
"After 10 months of gruelling matches, the players have got some time off. It's not possible for them to concentrate on early morning trainings after watching the late night matches. They will pick up new techniques by watching the matches," said Ashok Kumar, general manager, Pune FC.
