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Bahrain’s young football stars have made a huge impression on Manchester United’s foundation coaches during their week-long training camp at the English Premiership champion’s soccer school at Salford Red Stadium, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.
The talented 22 won a once-in a lifetime opportunity to travel to the UK thanks to telecom provider VIVA’s Manchester United Soccer Schools 2013 promotional campaign.
The prize for being chosen for the squad included training with former England striker and United’s second-highest goal scoring legend Andrew Cole.
The teenagers also tackled various challenges thrown their way by coaches Michelle Wilcock and Paul Wroa and the sessions involved a variety of fun and interactive activities.
According to coach Wilcock they were a brilliant group of youths to work with. She said: “Given the high calibre of football skills demonstrated by the VIVA players, we charted out an extensive training schedule that will further advance their existing skills and equip them to dominate the games they play in.
“The entire training went really well and they are a great group of kids with good footballing standards. They worked hard, taking on every challenge we gave them.”
The VIVA footballers also attended training workshops which focused on technical, tactical, physical, mental and social elements of the game.
Ali Al Ghattam and Kumail Mohamed Jaffar, both 15, in particular, captivated the coaches throughout the sessions. Coach Wilcock added: “Both have great attitudes and are technically good as well as fast. Al Ghattam has good dribbling, passing and receiving techniques. While Jaffar has good balance and is always smiling, as well as helpful on and off the pitch.”
Al Ghattam’s strong physical quality and technical ability also won him an MUSS pin badge for his overall performance during two workshops. To mark the culmination of training, MUSS gold medals of participation and player development books were also awarded to each of the footballers with a full-record of their week’s performance with areas of improvement to help them continue their soccer development.
