U Dream Football project: For teen footballer Armaan Kalra, it's Germany calling

GURGAON: As the new season gets under way in Europe, 15 boys from the country will be heading to the home of the reigning world to the home of the reignin champions for a six-year training programme as part of the U Dream Football project. Among the chosen few is Gurgaon's Armaan Kalra.

Each of the 15 has come up through `U Dream Football', a pr gramme set up in partnership with Bundesliga (German first division) club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Armaan, who turns 14 in September, will be honing his skills under the beady eyes of the FC's coaches. For six years, all these lads will eat, drink and sleep football at the club's train ing facilities.

Astudent of Shri Ram School, Armaan was 6 when he began playing for fun but it wasn't until he joined BIFA, the Brazilian International Football Academy (based out of Manav Rachna, Gurgaon), that he took up the game in right earnest.

The strapping Armaan, now approaching 5'10“, switches between central midfield and right back. “These are my preferred positions,“ admits this follower of Arsenal FC.

The young footballers will be accompanied by coaches from In dia, former Indian national Ma hesh Gawli and John Raj,who are part of the U Dream set-up.