Liverpool launches football centre in Pune

Pune, June 08: English Premier League giants Liverpool today launched their first football centre in the country in tie-up with Abhijeet Kadam Memorial Foundation here. The `Abhijit Kadam Football Development Centre`, to be based within the campus of Bharati Vidyapeeth University here, will allow aspiring young footballers combine their studies with football under the guidance of Liverpool FC coaches. The students enrolled at the centre will be taught a number of football related courses, which are to be delivered in partnership with some leading colleges in United Kingdom. The courses include, coaching, refereeing, Sports Science, Sports Turf technology and Football Industry Management. Most of the curriculum will be delivered in Pune but students will be offered the chance to complete some of their studies in the UK. The centre will open its doors to students in September. Cheshire-based international football company, Kickworldwide, and Bharati Vidyapeeth University here are the other two partners of the Anfield team in the project. Liverpool Commercial Director Ian Ayre said, "This project brings football with first class education and an ambition to feed the Indian game. It`s certainly an exciting start and one of a variety of key projects that Liverpool will unveil in the Indian market over the coming months." The launch was also attended by All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco. Bureau Report