A chance in a lifetime

TAFA takes four kids to week long AC Milan Junior Camp:

Football is a way of life, for the 100 or so students at Thaabit Ahmed Football Academy (TAFA), who live and breathe the game. So imagine the surprise when four of them got an opportunity to pick up skills and practice their techniques with the world renowned AC Milan Football Academy in Milan, Italy.

The four lucky future football stars included Alex Sears, Hayaki Ramanayake, Luca Sapumohotti, and Ruben Cunat. They took part in one of the academy's 'invite only' week long summer camp in June 2015, joining 19 other kids, their ages ranging from 12 to 14, from Kuwait, Singapore and Canada.

Twelve year old Hayaki started playing football because he saw his brother doing it. "I started when I was two," he grins. "I saw my brother playing and he looked really cool when he scored goals and I wanted to be just like him. Italy was amazing. With a fresh atmosphere and the best temperature to play football."

On his first international tour with TAFA, 11-year old Alex who loves to read in his spare time has been playing football for the past six years. "I played several positions in the matches. It felt odd being defence because I never play it. We also did trainings that helped us use other spaces in the game,"

"We got to train with Coach David Corti who was the head coach on one of the days. I liked his coaching style because it was more tactical," explains 11-year old Ruben who along with his brothers share a love for football and Real Madrid. "I wanted to see how different Milan and the training would be, and to have a new experience. This was definitely a great experience."

Practically a veteran at TAFA, Luca started playing football after seeing his friends play. The 12-year old plays in the striker position and is a big fan of Argentinean born Lionel Messi who currently plays for FC Barcelona. "It was really hard at the beginning when I started playing in defence and midfielder but later on I got used to it. I really liked the coaches and all the new friends we made," he says. "We will miss playing with them."

This was the first year that TAFA took part in the AC Milan Football Academy Camp (AKA the Milan Junior Camp), which takes place every summer for hopeful soccer players ranging from ages 7 through 16. Last year, TAFA students participated in the Spanish Champions Athletico Madrid summer training camp.

"We first met with the Milan Soccer School via their satellite school in Singapore - The AC Milan Soccer School in Singapore - when TAFA played against their team a few years ago at the JSSL Soccer Seven's Tournament," explains TAFA founder and head coach, Thaabit Ahmed. "The following year, they hosted us for some 'friendlies' before the tournament, and introduced us to the Milan Soccer School. It's definitely a privilege to be the first Sri Lankan team invited to participate in such a prestigious camp. And we have many exciting things planned with the Milan Soccer School in the near future."

Founded by former football player turned Coach Thaabit Ahmed in 2009 with just five students, TAFA has since grown, coaching over 100 students ranging from three to 18 years in age at present. Currently there are eight other coaches along with Ahmed (both international and Sri Lankans) who work with the kids at the academy.

With three semesters each year - September to December, January to March, and April to June, the school offers comprehensive soccer training and practice, along with local and international exposure to football. TAFA students have toured Singapore and Thailand participating in the JSSL tournament. Students at the academy also regularly play against local school and club teams here in Sri Lanka and are exposed to foreign training via international training opportunities such as the Milan and the Madrid coaching camps.

"Our new year kicks off this month, and we have a select number of spots open for new students. We have a lot of innovative things planned for the new season, and are excited to have another eventful season," added Ahmed.

For more information about the new semester: www. tafacoaching.com or on their Facebook page - www.facebook.com/tafacoaching