PANAJI: 28 February 2018: GFDC Residential Academy trainee and ace mid-fielder, Harsh Patre is the lone Goan player to have been shortlisted to be a part of the selection trials for the India U-16 team which will go on to participate in the AFC Championship 2018 scheduled to be held in Malaysia. A total of 20 players have been selected from other teams which participated in the AIFF Youth U-15 league. The trials will be held at SAI Centre, Kolkata from March 1 to 7 .
The Chairman GFDC, Dr. Rufino Monteiro praised Harsh for his outstanding performance through his journey with GFDC and is confident that he would be able to make a place for himself and Goa in the Indian U-16 team. “I have seen him training from grassroots right up to the academy. I have great aspiration from this boy who I feel will make it great in the years to come. He has made a place in the hearts of his teammates and Goans with his dead-ball brilliance,” stated Dr. Rufino.
While the Member Secretary, Aleixo Da Costa expressed happiness over the selection of his star residential academy trainee who has proved his worth at the AIFF Youth U-15 league. “Harsh has been shortlisted for the selection trials but however the others like him who must have also played well in the appropriate age group have been overshadowed by the blunt and rampant practice of fielding overage players by clubs from the AIFF. I am unable to understand how AIFF could conclude the U-15 league without taking a decision on the protest filed by Churchill Brothers-GFDC team. Although the protest was filed within the time limit and appropriate fees paid,” said Aleixo.
“This makes me believe that those going to represent India at the AFC Championship may be much more than age 15 and the deserving ones within the age group are being deprived their dues. The entire eco system in the country appears to be fundamentally cemented on a might is right base,” he added.
Harsh begun training with GFDC at the age of nine years at the Mayem Centre and has indeed come a long way. He is a very hardworking, dedicated and focused player. He was first promoted to the GFDC Residential Pre-Academy and later to the Residential Academy. He has to his credit a total of three national representations.
He is currently playing for Churchill Brothers SC where the GFDC team is being fielded in AIFF and GFA tournament. Recently Churchill Brothers SC – GFDC emerged victorious at the state level in the AIFF Youth U-15 league. He was the Captain and played a vital role in the clubs run and GFDC is hopeful that he will continue with the same momentum.
The 15-year-old is currently being trained under the watchful eyes of GFDC Technical In-Charge and Residential Academy coach, Derryl D’souza. He was earlier coached by Robert Fernandes and Pradip Chopdekar.
“Harsh has a very good vision, creativity in passing and good reading of the game. I wish him all the best for his trials with the Indian team ahead,” stated Derryl.
Harsh’s future looks bright and the midfielder believes that hard work and focus is the key to success.
