New Delhi: The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2011-12 concluded in Bangalore on Friday with three players, two from Pandua SBS High School, Kolkata and one from CRPF High School, Delhi getting picked to travel and train with the Glasgow Celtic Football Club for 10 days in August.

This was announced by S P Shukla, President, Group Strategy and Chief Brand Officer Mahindra & Mahindra in the presence of Vivek B Singh, Jt. MD Procam International, the promoters of the event, and the four coaches from Celtic Football Club, Mark Reid (Youth Academy Coach/Senior Football Development Officer), Jose Romero & Mark Tobin (Centre of Excellence coaches and Tom McKay (Development Centre Goalkeeping coach).

Premananda Singha, Mangal Murmu (both Kolkata) and Mukesh Kumar (Delhi) were selected on the basis of their performances in the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge Inter-City leg involving the champion schools from six cities, followed by a four-day camp involving the best 22 players. The selected three will enjoy the experience of a lifetime when they travel to
Glasgow and stay and train at the Celtic FC Youth Academy, enjoying all the facilities available to the junior players of the club.

S. P. Shukla, President, Group Strategy and Chief Brand Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra said “We are extremely happy today as we identify the boys who will be sent to Celtic FC in Scotland for further training. The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge has grown significantly in the last two years and I am proud to say that we are achieving the objectives that we set ourselves, which is to promote football at the grass roots level and provide a platform for the U 14 boys to showcase their skills and play the game in a competitive & high class environment. I congratulate the boys and wish them all the very best for a wonderful career ahead”.

“The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge has provided a platform to promote grassroots football in the true sense, with lesser known schools putting it across their fancied counterparts and propelling their players into the limelight. Procam International is indeed proud to be part of this novel initiative and committed to evolve and improvise in order to help fructify
the dreams of talented under-14 football players,” said Vivek B Singh “Procam International commends sponsors Mahindra & Mahindra for their vision, partners Celtic Football Club for their commitment and all the District Football Associations in each of the cities for their guidance and the management,” he added.

Mark Reid, the Celtic FC Youth Academy coach said, “This year we have again been part of a fantastic Mahindra Youth Football Challenge, and it has been a great success. The Mahindra organization, in partnership with Glasgow Celtic Football Club have put together a tournament and coaching program, which is providing an opportunity for these young players from across India to showcase their talent. We hope this also gives the selected players a pathway to again progress and improve, when they come and visit the Celtic Academy for the ten day coaching period in Scotland. With the help and expertise of Procam International the whole event offers grassroots players across India a chance to participate and enjoy football in a structured and
well run format. Finally congratulations must also go to all players who participated for their commitment and enthusiasm”.

Explaining the basis for selecting the three boys, Mark Reid said, “Premananda Singha is an explosive winger with a great eye for goal, who stood out from early in the tournament as a player who has real potential.

On Mangal Murmu, Reid said, “he is a playmaking midfielder, who has a terrific eye for a pass and controls any game he is involved in. His game intelligence is very good and he is a terrific footballer,” Reid added.

Describing Mukesh Kumar, Reid said, “He is another midfield player who can play in a variety of positions and has exceptional close control. He can direct and dictate the game form the middle of the field.

All the players have a real desire to successes and improve and we hope to give them this platform to again enhance their ability on their visit to Celtic FC. We look forward to welcoming the boys into the Celtic Family.”