AfrAsia Barcelona Club, From 1850 to a Final 24

AfrAsia Bank, Football First and McDonald’s today announced the names of the top 24 players selected from last week’s final trial at the New George V Stadium, ending the suspense of our young footballers from across the nation. Hon. Satyaprakash (Devanand) Ritoo, Minister of Youth & Sports was present to personally congratulate the players and their parents.

With a total of 1,850 participants having been evaluated in Mauritius and Rodrigues, both organisers and partners are proud of the success of this event, a first on the island and a stepping stone for the future phases of this pioneering football program.

“The last month has been hard work but very rewarding for us all to see the talented young Mauritian footballers. It would have not been possible without the involvement of our sponsors, coaches, and registration staff, plus the student volunteers from Le Bocage International School. It motivates all of the staff to see the skills and commitment the boys and parents have to improve the football in Mauritius. I would also like to thank all the boys who took part in this first national selection process, they should not feel that they failed as to us at Football First they were all winners for participating. There will be more options in the very near future to improve their skills when we open the doors for the Football First coaching courses starting in September. But for now well done to the 24 finalist who will be going to Barcelona,” says David Callow, Director of Football First.

The 24 successful finalists will be accompanied by seven adults from Football First as well as a member of the Ministry of Youth & Sports. The group will fly from Mauritius on Friday 25th July and begin their twice-daily training sessions with FC Barcelona coaches on Monday 28th July. Training will continue until Friday 1st August. In addition to their football coaching sessions the players will go ice-skating, visit the FC Barcelona museum and participate in the famous Nou Camp tour. The group will return to Mauritius on the 4th August.

James Benoit, AfrAsia Bank CEO explains, “It is a pleasure and pride for us to introduce the 24 Mauritian children who will soon be on the Spanish football grounds of the FC Barcelona! We would like to congratulate the children and their parents who have many reasons to be proud. Our affiliation to this one-of-a kind sponsorship is a thought-through strategic move as we develop our global reach. The success of the first phase of AfrAsia Barcelona Club is confirmation that we are not only on the right track in providing unique and exceptional rewards to skilled and talented players giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential. We have experienced hands-on the enthusiasm and interest of both parents and participants for this initiative which is encouraging us in maintaining our priority to contribute to children development through sports.”

In September 2014, the AfrAsia Barcelona Club will be establishing an FC Barcelona-style football academy managed and run by the coaching staff of Football First. By mid-2015, the AfrAsia Barcelona Club will then be seeking to secure affiliation with FCBEscola, the official football school of FC Barcelona. As of today’s date, only 12 such schools have been granted this honor worldwide and no sub-Saharan country has been afforded this privilege.

Our ultimate aim is to help children gain the experience and skills required to grow and develop into well-rounded young adults, with the tools needed to reach their full potential and in doing so raise the playing level of football across the island.

10 TO 12 AGE GROUP:

• OSCAR VERNEAU 
• ARTHEE DAREL ANGEL DENGEL 
• MAHE HARDY 
• MATTHIEU VENCATACHELLUM 
• SHAUN TOUSSAINT 
• DAVID ARISTIDE 
• JEAN JORDAN FRANCOIS 
• OLIVER HAZEMOTH 
• JEAN KINSLEY OLIVAN MANAN 
• RAHUL MUNGUR 
• JAYDEN TIN HIN HUNG YEE KUT 
• SHEEV KILLIAN SUNGKUR

13 TO 14 AGE GROUP:

• JEAN JORDAN JEFFREY ANTOINE 
• JOSEPH SAMUEL EMULIO CATHERINE 
• JEAN JOBEHARY 
• JEAN ROHAN LUCAS NADAL 
• REGIS ARMAND BRICE REDY 
• ROMAIM LAURENT PATIENT 
• MICHAEL EDOUARD 
• NITESH TEERBHUN 
• ADRIEN DAMIEN JUDE CORALIE
• ALEXANDRE LASIBELLE
• ROSE JOEVENDY
• VASHIST CALCUTTA