Blackburn to visit second home for friendly games

On July 23,Blackburn will take part in the finals of a youth team tournament on July 23,with their star players — including Chris Samba,Paul Robinson,David Dunn,Brett Emerton,David Hoilett,Jason Roberts,Morten Gamst Pedersen,Michel Salgado,Martin Olsson,Steven Nzonzi and Ryan Nelsen — dividing themselves up among the top eight teams.

The tournament,to be played between under-16 sides from schools,institutions,academies and clubs,will be played in Goa,Mumbai and Kolkata before moving to its final leg in Pune.

Handpicking talent

Scouts from Blackburn Rovers will be present during the tournament,in order to handpick two players for a two-week training course at the Brockhall academy.

Speaking to The Indian Express,B Balaji Rao,managing director,Venky’s,also revealed plans to set up an academy on the outskirts of Pune. “We are getting an academy and a stadium in Pune. The site is near the Mumbai-Pune highway and will be ready in a year and a half or two years,” he said. “The academy will be run exactly like the Blackburn academy,with trainees starting when they are in the 11-12 age group,and train under coaches from Blackburn.”

Venky’s would also make a foray into the I-League,said Rao. “We are looking to launch a team based around players from the academy,” he said. “We have already registered the team name Blackburn Rovers FC Pune.” Asked about the climate of uncertainty surrounding Indian football after the disbandment of Mahindra United and JCT in the last two years,Rao simply said,“Indian football will grow.”

With the owners providing manager Steve Kean a sizeable transfer kitty to spend over the summer,Blackburn have been linked to a number of players,including Roma striker Mirko Vucinic and Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha as well as players who have played for the club in the past such as Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy. Rao refused to name any potential transfer targets.

“We’re looking for a good striker and a good midfielder. We’ve a very hard time with the British press whenever a player’s name gets linked to our club,” he said.