Atletico de Kolkata to set up academy; open trials for kids from all Bengal districts

ATLETICO DE KOLKATA have begun the process of launching a football academy in Kolkata that will begin its operations with 30 children selected from all over West Bengal.

According to a report published in Ananda Bazar Patrika, the ISL franchise has called for preliminary trials for selection in the academy. 12 to 14 year old kids have been called to the open trials, the first of which is being held at Bidhan Nagar Sports Complex for the residents of Kolkata and its surroundings.

Afterwards, there will be trials held for kids from all 20 districts of West Bengal. The most promising children will be hand-picked from there for a final round of trials. In the end 30 children will be selected for the academy. 

ATK are the first among the ISL franchises to take concrete steps towards setting up an academy. Last year they also became the first ISL franchise to have a temporary junior team when they fielded a squad in the 3rd Division of the Calcutta Football League.

This initiative is being seen as the first steps towards qualifying for an AFC A-license, so as to be eligible to play in the official top division league when I-League and ISL are eventually merged.