Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville expressed his belief in the vast potential of Indian football players, emphasizing the importance of guidance and support to help them succeed on various platforms.
During his visit to the Minerva Academy in Mohali for the fourth season of the “United We Play” initiative, Neville praised India’s burgeoning football landscape. “There’s no shortage of talent in India. I’m amazed by the number of academies and the quality of infrastructure available. However, there needs to be more emphasis on coaching to develop football at the grassroots level. I genuinely believe Indian football is heading in the right direction,” he stated.
Neville took the time to interact with young aspiring footballers, offering them valuable advice on skill development and the importance of stamina at a young age. “It’s fantastic to witness the infrastructure in India and how academies are nurturing these kids. Guidance and effective teaching are crucial for achieving their goals. I hope to see India reach new heights in football,” he added.
The “United We Play” program brought together over 15,000 young footballers from 18 cities, culminating in a grand finale that Neville attended. In this finale, five outstanding players emerged as winners: PC Lalchhuanawma from Mizoram, Shreejal Kisku from Bhubaneswar, Bhakta Bahadur Pariyar from Nepal, Mohd Ayan from Lucknow, and Chanason Chaiyatham from Bangkok.
This grassroots initiative aims to promote young football talent across various regions, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills and motivating aspiring athletes to continue pursuing their passion. The program also introduces participants to global training methodologies.
A renowned one-club man, Neville spent nearly 20 years at Manchester United, making 602 appearances. He also represented England with distinction, earning 85 caps over a 12-year international career.
“I’m delighted to see the dedication and passion for football among young children in India. Investing in youth development is essential, and I’m thrilled to see the efforts of Apollo Tyres and Manchester United in creating this platform, which inspires youth to follow their football dreams,” Neville commented.
The selected players will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Old Trafford, where they will participate in exciting activities, including a match-day experience, a training session with coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School, and interactions with club legends.
The fourth edition of “United We Play” launched in December of last year in Kolkata, with former Manchester United and French footballer Louis Saha kicking off the program.
