The AIFF will be sending three U - 19 footballers for training at French second division club FC Metz, president Praful Patel said here on Wednesday.
Dehradun's Anirudh Thapa, West Bengal's Prosenjit Chakraborty and Jerry Lalrinzuala of Mizoram have been selected for a stint with the U - 19 team of the French side.
The performances of the boys would be reviewed after every three months with the maximum stint staying a possible two years, Patel said at a programme along with the Ambassador of France to India Francois Richier and FC Metz director Denis Scheaffer.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) entered into a partnership with French Football Federation (FFF) last year.
"These are important baby steps in the right direction for the growth of Indian Football. The idea is to develop from a young stage, " Patel said.
"This is only a beginning and I am sure that there will be many more initiatives such as these. We want young talent to be promoted. "
"We hope to develop them into better Players. We want to give them an opportunity to train and see European, " Scheaffer said.
"I am very excited to see these boys on the pitch as our aim now is to give them an opportunity to reach the highest level possible. We will do our best to help them. "
"I hope that the players will have a wonderful experience and I am honoured to be a part of Indian development, " he added.
"It is important to train at the highest level and to improve you have to consistently train at the highest level every day. Our aim is to offer the boys that. The boys will train with our Players and we will review them for a professional contract. "
- - IANS
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