The operation of the GFF Football Academy is in full swing now. The fact is confirmed by the UEFA supervisor from France Mr. Jean Francois Domergue ( this is the same Domergue who scored the goal in the match against the Portugal team in 1984 and made the National team of France a Champion of Europe). Mr. Domergue is coming to Georgia for the third time already to implement audit and provide advice. Mr. Domegue visit Georgia in September and November 2014. His last visit was very intensive and had been lasting for one week.
The French specialist is pleased with the work done. “I am sure there will be more positive developments in the academy’s activity and the project in question will make its contribution into the general football development in Georgia. Academy will become a forge of Georgian football” – Jean Francois said.
We could not help avoiding the discussion with Mr. Domergue about forthcoming European Football Championship to be held in Georgia in 2017. “Undoubtedly, it is a big success of your country in the course of the infrastructure development, upgrade of your staff qualification and the organizational matters which are sure to bring certain benefit to your country. As far as the aforesaid championship is concerned it will be a great festival for all football fans who can watch all rising stars of Europe with their own eyes. And it will be a big incentive for the students of the academy too”.
The supervisor from UEFA visited the construction site of the future sport complex in Rustavi which was named after the prominent Georgian football player Boris Paichadze.
Mr. Lorik Borje, physical training coach, visited academy before Mr. Domergue’s coming and he shared his experience with local coaches on site and held training sessions for both academy teams. UEFA is rendering the assistance and provides good opportunities for the practical playing. One of the teams will go to Cyprus soon.
Georgi Khachidze, Academy manager:
“We will fly to Cyprus on March 2 2015. Besides our team there will be other youth teams from the football academies of Macedonia and Armenia and several local youth teams. It is going to be a very interesting session and it is very important that we will exchange experience and reveal our weak points”.
It is worth mentioning that they showed a big interest towards the academy in the local regional football federations and Mr. Domegue will meet all parties concerned during his next visit to Georgia.
The construction of the sport complex in Rustavi is in full swing now. The inauguration is scheduled for August 9 2015 and in two days we are going to have a Super Cup. So, many high-ranking guests will attend the ceremony.
Goga Khachidze informed us that they are supposed to select a new team for the academy next summer. “As you know we have players born in 2000 and 2001 in our academy. According to the plan we will have another team of players born in 2002. Selection will take place in summer, but we have a long queue of children who wish to join our academy”.
We want to stress that the foundation of the football academy is a very big undertaking because the majority of our citizens cannot afford paying fee for their kid to become a member of a football club. We have all modern conditions for the all round development of a young football player in our academy and we provide accommodation, food, equipment, training free of charge. All the expenses are fully paid by the Georgian Football Federation.
Paata Dzneladze