UK Goan boy gets into Portugal football academy

DOHA

Want to learn to play football the ‘Portuguese Way’, then International Football Academy de Portugal is one of several platforms many promising footballers of Goan-origin can look forward to in the days and months ahead.

Goan-origin Jorell Calhoun Fernandes, a 15-year-old UK-based football talent has opened the doors for aspiring football players, especially those who want to learn and play the way Portugal or more importantly, their favourite football Idol Cristiano Ronaldo plays the game.

“This is to certify that Jorell Calhoun Fernandes is currently enrolled at our International Football Academy de Portugal and has been selected to play for the U16 Team at Associacao Academica De Coimbra- OAF (AAC). At 15 years of age, he is a very promising player and extremely talented,” reads a letter signed by Elvis Goes, Director of International Football Academy de Coimbra.

Jorell, who is presently in Portugal, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to shine and become a great professional football player. And that's my dream and I am very, very happy to get this opportunity and wish to thank everyone who made this happen.”

INTEREST IN FOOTBALL

“From an early age, Jorell had a liking for football and played in the hall or bedroom,” said his father Joe, who played for his school team and featured regularly in the Benaulim inter-ward football tournaments and other local football events.

From bedroom on to the pitch, Jorell continued his shine on the football field for his Dormers Wells High School team which made his father think of honing and polishing his skills. So, the search for a reputed football academy began.

Joe's search for advice and guidance took him to Lawrence Gomes, who played the game at the highest level in India. Joe looked up to the former midfielder from Vasco city to give new direction to his son’s football ambition and take it to another level.

SPOTTING POTENTIAL

Just like his precision passes on the football field, Lawrence was quick enough to see the potential that Jorell held and had a word with Elvis. From there on, one thing led to another.

Jorell, who traces his roots to Benaulim, went through the rigorous process to secure admission to the academy, which any reputed international football academy would follow.

At the centre of the scouting process were two Goan-origin footballers, Lawrence Gomes and Elvis Goes, both who have played for different top clubs in Goa: Lawrence for Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa and India, and Elvis for Dempo Sports Club and Sesa Goa.

“We shot a few videos of Jorell playing football in the UK and sent them across to Elvis Goes,” said Lawrence.

Impressed with what he saw, Elvis was kind enough to complete all the formalities for the young footballer enrolment in the football academy.

“When Jorell came to know that he had been selected for the international football Academy, in Portugal, he was delighted especially as Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol,” said his father Joe, who is based in the UK for the last seven years.

PROGRAMME IN PORTUGAL

Jorell will be based in Portugal and undergo the ‘Portuguese way’ for the next one-year.

This is an elite football methodology-training programme with on field and in-class football methodology and Sports Conditioning modules. Which includes 30 hours per week off and on field practice including classroom sessions on the following components of the game. The programme duration is from July 2024 to June 15, 2025.

The Football Methodology the ‘Portuguese Way’ will also include sports conditioning and football fitness preparation, pre-season and post-season, basic understanding of sports psychology and nutritional guidelines for footballers, Portuguese language school classes twice per week for basic communication.

Over the next few months, Jorell’s progress will be assessed and monitored by academy coaches, and everybody will be watching with interest Jorell’s progress of the football growth chart.

A few parents will be exploring avenues to get their children enrolled at the Coimbra academy and learn football the “Portuguese way.’

ADVICE TO GOAN PARENTS

The advice that Jorell’s father, Joe, and mother, Piola Mascarenhas, would like to convey a simple message to Goan parents of youngsters aspiring to make it big in football.

“Support your children and encourage them if they want to be football players, because in life I believe you get just one chance, so be a backbone for them to learn better football skills in these academies,” said Piola.

Joe said it was not necessary that young talented players should be based in Europe, even India clubs had a lot to offer for the young players in terms of training facilities.

“If you look up on players in the UK and Europe, one can say they are really professional, but nowadays there are a lot of professional football clubs in India where the young players can train with the clubs,” Joe said.