FCBEscola conducts open trials for its Academy in Delhi NCR

The true spirit of Republic Day was seen today at the IOS Maidan with football enthusiasts' from across the nation exhibiting camaraderie while vying with their peers to get a place at FCBEscola Academy Delhi. The ground reverberated as hundreds of footballers in the age groups of Under-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 from over 200 schools and 38 cities played hard to secure themselves for the FC Barcelona's official football school in Delhi NCR.

The young guns ran tirelessly after the ball at the open trials conducted by FCBEscola to pursue their dream of being trained the Barca way. Apart from the ball possession or stop and pass, the football aficionado's were also judged on the values like tolerance, respect, solidarity, friendship, community spirit and integration. The trials will be a two stage process, with selected kids from today being called to a Final Trial in March. In the end, only a handful of highly talented kids will be invited to join the FCBEscola.

FCBEscola is the official football school of the top European club, FC Barcelona. The school operates with an intensive program that runs year round, in which the players train twice a week and play matches once every week. The Escola is open for players from age 6-17. Once a player is selected to the Escola he goes through a continuous development program under the watchful eyes of official coaches.

FC Barcelona boasts of some of the top names in world football who have come through their own youth development programs. Superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, Pep Guardiola, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta are only a few of the illustrious players that have graduated from this system. The School, which is meant for serious footballers, will be headed by Antoni Claveria, Director of the FCBEscola India Project appointed by FC Barcelona. With the Escola, FC Barcelona aims to provide sustained world-class grassroots training to aspiring footballers and help India build the foundation for better performance at global level.

Speaking about the trials, Antoni Claveria, Director of the FCBEscola India Project said, "This will engage promising young players from across the country. We look forward to participating and hopefully seeing some of the young enthusiasts play competitive football in coming days. While we have shortlisted potential participants from the earlier camps, the trials will give impetus to finalise the students who are going to be part of FCBEscola Delhi. I am really excited to meet talent from India."