Here we go!

A SQUAD of 22 promising players will be flying to the UK for special training sessions with the English Premiership champions after impressing coaches during VIVA’s 2013 Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) talent search, writes Mai Al Khatib.

The two-day trials, which took place over the weekend, featured 32 private and public school teams competing in an inter-school tournament at Soccer City’s pitches in Janabiya, where students, aged between 13 and 15, were given a chance to shine.

According to the UEFA qualified coaches, Lami Sonola, 38, and Ben Charlton, 32, selecting the best of the best from more than 300 young players was a challenging affair.

Sonola, United’s Foundation education and community cohesion manager, said: “VIVA put on a fantastic event and did not make our jobs easy as we witnessed a lot of great talent.

“This was my first time in Bahrain and I was very impressed with the technical ability these boys and girls possess, as well as their great understanding of the game.

“In particular, we saw some fantastic girl matches. The passion and drive from the Sacred Heart School girl’s will forever stay in my heart and I will take that memory back with me.
“We were looking for good players, and then some, because at Manchester United we get to see a lot of good players so it’s a little bit more than that.

“What we were looking for was leadership qualities, confidence and a show of team spirit.”

Aside from selecting 22 players to live, play and train ‘the United way’, the Manchester United Foundation coaches also kept their eyes peeled for who they considered to be the best defender, striker, goalkeeper and midfielder. Those winners received smartphones and trophies.

While all the teams put on competitive performances, one school stood out from the rest, securing the cup and sending four of its players on the prize trip.

In the final of the boy’s competition, Al Farabi School narrowly defeated Al Jaffari Institute 1-0.

Komail Mohammed Jaffar, 15, was delighted and excited to have been handpicked for the UK adventure. The youngster from Hamad Town was voted ‘best defender’ in the competition and scored the winning goal to secure his team the title.

Jaffar said: “To win the competition was an amazing feeling as we went through some difficulties at the beginning and scraped a couple of draws.

“We made it to day two and fought hard to reach the final. Al Jaffari Institute played well but we just wanted it more.

“I couldn’t believe it when I scored in the last five minutes of the game. My friends looked at me and said for sure they will pick you to go on the trip. I prayed they would and when they called my name, I couldn’t stop smiling.

“I love football and play all the time with my friends and with Al Malkiyah. I am so happy but I will only believe it when I get there. My family is happy for me too.

“Thank you to VIVA for giving me this chance and I hope to take full advantage of the opportunity in the right way. They made my dreams come true. I have always wanted to become a professional player and I believe I am on the right path.”

Sayed Hussain, 15, a student at Al Jaffari Institute, took home the ‘best midfielder’ accolade and a ticket to Manchester too.

Hussain, from Jidhafs who plays youth football with Al Shabab Club, said: “It will be my first trip to England and I want to learn how they play there and gain as much experience as possible.”

St Christopher’s School took the crown in the contest for girls beating the British School of Bahrain 3-1 in the final.

Star players Nicole Moir and Phoebe Licence will be flying out to the UK together for the United experience. Moir, 14, from Durrat Al Bahrain, was voted ‘best striker’. She said: “I was very excited and happy to win as I normally play in midfield. I believe we all played well and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to improve and get better.

“I hope to learn new skills and develop my knowledge of the game. It was a great idea to have all the schools competing.

“I am even more excited about going with Phoebe, who won ‘best midfielder’. I think it makes the trip even better because I will be able to play the sport I love with someone dear to me.”

Hanan Sayed Mohamed, 14, from Mahooz, a student at Al Noor School, was voted ‘best defender’ in the girl’s tournament. She said: “I can’t explain how incredible it was when they called my name. I’m the only one from my school to go on this trip and my entire team was so supportive and my school is so proud to see one of its students going to Manchester.”

Coach Charlton, the football development officer for Manchester United and head coach for the community cohesion project, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come over and train at what we like to call ‘the home of football’, especially, the home of English football. They will be training where legends have trained and played.

“On top of that, they are getting the chance to work with quality coaches. This is a very elite experience, especially with the talent that they have got they should take it to the next level.”
The challenge for the 22 has just begun. Coach Sonola explained: “Even the gifted have to work at their talent. Nothing in life comes easy.”