TAFA to represent Sri Lanka at JSSL Singapore International Soccer 7s

Friday, 2 May 2014 03:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tournament conducted in affiliation with English Premier League Club, Arsenal The Thaabit Ahmed Football Academy (TAFA), a soccer academy dedicated to developing young players’ skills and passion for soccer, will send a total of four teams comprising of 44 players, to represent Sri Lanka at the JSSL Singapore International Soccer 7’s tournament on 10 and 11 May in Singapore this year. The JSSL Singapore International Soccer 7’s is an annual soccer tournament hosted by Junior Soccer Schools League (JSSL) Singapore; an official Arsenal soccer school set up in 2002 in affiliation with the Arsenal Football Club in the UK. This year’s tournament will see 120 teams, representing 10 countries; compete for the JSSL 7’s Championship title. TAFA’s representation in the JSSL Singapore International Soccer 7’s is a part of the academy’s plan for their annual foreign tours for 2014. This will be the first time teams from Sri Lanka will represent the country in this tournament. TAFA will send youth in four age categories; under-9, under-11, under-13 and under-15. The squad also consists of an aspiring female footballer – Robin Gallagher and the youngest player, Peter Beckmeyer (7 years).

The academy, which started in 2009 with five students, presently trains around 50 girls and boys from 20 different countries under four competitive age groups. The academy also employs seven experienced local and foreign coaches, and utilises the expertise of part-time and visiting coaches to develop the skills and techniques of their students. Expressing his views, TAFA Founder Thaabit Ahmed stated: “TAFA’s first outbound tour was to Thailand, last year. This, however, will be our first competitive tour abroad and we are excited about this tournament as it will give our youngsters an opportunity to experience the sport at an international level. This will be a valued and a rare opportunity for the boys, to showcase their skills abroad.” TAFA also works in partnership with the Zurich International School (ZIS), a school based in Switzerland, where TAFA hosts competitions between ZIS students and TAFA students annually. ZIS students were in Sri Lanka last year and are once again scheduled to return to the island for another round of matches in June, this year. In addition, TAFA conducts CSR projects both locally and overseas, where students are encouraged to travel to less privileged area for soccer camps. Speaking about the upcoming tournament, Robin Gallagher, the sole female player of the group stated, “I am thrilled to be a part of the team and especially travelling to Singapore for the JSSL tournament. My team mates and I are working very hard, as we prepare for the matches in Singapore. I am glad that TAFA nominated me to be a part of the team and looking forward to the JSSL tournament.”