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Two Academy footballers are
currently in London with the golden opportunity to train with one of the leading
English Premier League clubs Charlton Athletic in the United Kingdom.
The two players, Atif Sachak and Kareem Kerai, both from Karachi United Youth
Academy (KUYA), will leave for London on Saturday on invitation from Charlton.
The pair will attend a pre-season two-week Academy and community programmes at
Charlton Athletic Youth Academy in a bid to enhance their football skills.
Both Atif and Kareem will be maintaining
diaries of their experiences. This will be uploaded on the website throughout
the duration of their trip.
DAY 1
"We were very impressed by the
training facilities in Charlton Athletic, they had about 8 pitches which were
lush green and almost like carpet! We met Hasselbaink and Rommedahl, and also
got a good look at their fancy cars. Rommedahl was really impressed that we were
here from Pakistan to train and asked about Karachi United. The kids at the
community camp were good footballers and also friendly people. A great start to
our dream trip!"
Kareem Kerai
DAY 2
"We
started off with a shaky and nervous start at the Charlton Youth Academy but
nearer to the end we stepped up our game. Atif scored a goal nearer to the end
with a lovely toe poke to put it in the back of the net! Nice one son!! We even met a kid in
the younger age group that looked exactly like Wayne Rooney and Atif took a
picture with him"
Kareem Kerai
DAY 3
"We
both were quite happy with our performances during the days past. And going into
the third day we were very excited. During the community football we played a
long tournament in which our team won!! KK and I both scored!! So, it was
another enjoyable day during our dream trip. Also during the day we had to
execute some complicated drills, which ince taken back to Karachi would work
well in improving ours as well as the team's skill and game understanding level."
Atif Sachak
DAY 4
Going into the fourth day we were very eager to get started. By now, we made a
few good friends at community football who were impressed with us, as they have
never thought of Pakistan as a football country. Community football was a lot of fun. KK
took a few good penalties! And got to the last 3 in the competition!!. Also
today we had academy football. Going into our second Academy session we were
familiar with everyone and their names. Today's session went well and after
talking to the Manager we might have a chance to play in a pre-season match
against a visiting American team with the U-13 group…and wear the Charlton kit.
Wow!
Atif Sachak
DAY 5
Today was the last day of the
community course at Charlton Athletic. Atif and I were given a medal each called
the "Golden Egg". Reason being because of our good football skills, our positive
attitude and our help around the field. That was great! We were a bit
disappointed today because all the good friends we made in the past week weren't
attending the course next week, so we will definitely miss them! We were very
excited about the week and hope we can do even better. However both of us did
quite well. Atif's team won the championship and Kareem's team came third. So it
was a good day to end a week in which we made a lot of friends and played a lot
of great football"
Atif Sachak and Kareem Kerai
Atif and
Kareem are enjoying their football at Charlton and have coped very well at the
highest level. Their discipline on and off the pitch has been excellent winning
them the “golden egg award,” in the community course. In the academy they have
made an immediate impression with their touch and quickness. Academy coaches and
players alike look forward to having them as part of the squad for a pre-season
game on the 7th against a visiting American team.
Afaan Naqvi
DAY 6
Starting our
second week of football, we both were keen on making a good impression on the
new coaches. This week is crucial for us and especially our chances of playing
in the pre-season match with the Charlton u-13 team. However, on the weekend I
hurt my knee and thus will not be able to play on Monday and Tuesday but will
hopefully be able to make the Academy session later on in the day on Tuesday.
However, Kareem has still been doing really well and continued his great form
during the community session. Also, this week at community football there are
much more kids, thus, it was harder today to get all there names and also, we
had to play in a smaller space. So, our journey has gone very well so far and
both Kareem and I are thankful for this. Also, this week at community football
they told us that they might take us down the training facility to watch the
first team train for a few minutes! Nice! So, this week will hopefully be even
better than the last, which was certainly one of the most enjoyable in our
lives.
Atif Sachak
DAY 7
Going into the
second day of our second course of community football, Kareem and I had made
some good friends and got to know the coaches. By now, my injury had not healed
so I had to sit out again disappointingly. However, not surprisingly Kareem was
still on fire and continuing his great form. But the day did not pass without
some controversy. We all seemed ready to leave and Kareem seemed to have the
lunch bag, but once we were out of building we realised that no one had the
lunch bag. We all turned and looked at Kareem who claimed it was my fault. So,
we went without lunch but, found something on our way to the training facility!!
Also, once we were leaving the community football early the head coach there
handed us four tickets to the match for Charlton Athletic against New Zealand
this Saturday…wow!! And to put the finishing touch, whilst we were leaving we
walked past Darren Bent, Matt Holland, Iain Dowie and Herman Heraidasson. After
this, we went to a friends house to rest. Then, on our way to the Academy
session things started to turn in the wrong direction for me. My knee started
hurting. Thus, I only lasted 30 minutes of the session before I could not carry
on and went to see the club physio who gave me some ice and exercises. However,
Kareem was still playing and understanding the new drills and seemed to do well
and impress the coaches. Also, for some great news after the Academy session the
coach said that both of us have a good chance of making the squad and getting a
run out against the American team, with the Charlton boys! So, both Kareem and I
are hoping for the best and look forward to the days to come.
Atif Sachak
DAY 8
Atif
unfortunately is suffering from a knee cap injury. Therefore, he was unable to
join me today at the community session as he was resting at home. I enjoyed the
community session today, as we practiced all kinds of shooting drills followed
by a world cup tournament. Once again our team won for the 2nd time
in a row. I scored a number of goals which helped us advance into the final! We
slotted all our penalties in the bottom corners, we left the pitch as champions
with our head held up high. We also met the assistant academy manager Steve
Avory and gave him a KU jersey and a memento. He also read the newspaper article
that was published in Dawn and he was really happy about that. He also
introduced us to the Academy manager. We are really looking forward the match on
Monday. I just hope Atif recovers fully by then.
Kareem Kerai
DAY 9
Today was an
extremely cold day; Atif and Afaan were suffering whilst sitting on the side
line the entire day with only a jumper. At one point they were worried if they
would make it out of Charlton, but we managed to reach Adu’s to get ample rest
for tonight’s academy session. Even though the drills at the academy session
were a bit advanced I still enjoyed them very much and also learnt a lot.
Unfortunately it was the last academy training session of our trip and Atif was
unable to play. He is still recovering from his knee injury. I wish him best of
luck!
Kareem Kerai
Today there
was a great difference in weather and also, later on today we had our last
Academy session. Today during community football I had to sit out again. Except,
this time it was extremely cold outside. Kareem still continued his exceptional
form today and bolstered his chances of winning the player of the week award for
community football. Today we left earlier than usual, because of the cold
weather but more importantly because of the Academy session later on today.
Before the Academy session, I had to see the physio, who said that I needed to
rest a lot if I am to have a chance to play in Monday’s game with the Charlton
boys. The Academy session, was great even from the sidelines and this session we
could tell Kareem learned a lot, especially in playing positions. So, it was a
good end to our Academy sessions and now it’s to Monday for the big match!
Atif Sachak
Atif has been
very unfortunate picking up an injury over the weekend due to which he has
missed a week of football. However, he has been very disciplined in meeting his
target of full fitness for the pre-season friendly on Monday. He impressed the
academy coaches during the first week and both him and Kareem have made the
final squad for the game. Meanwhile, Kareem has been enjoying the community
football sessions and is picking up some excellent tactical and positioning
pointers during the academy sessions.
Afaan Naqvi
THE MATCH
We couldnt believe it when we were
given the number 9 and 10 shirts. I was so excited to finally be sitting in the
dressing room after sitting out the whole week getting ready for this. We put on
our kits after getting our team talk from the coach and then went to the pitch
to get a warm up. My knee felt fine during the warm up and I just couldn't wait
to get on the pitch and score!
Atif Sachak
After waiting for the third
period, both Atif and I were called on in our preferred positions. We were a bit
nervous to start with but the pace of the game was so high that we got into it
immediately. Atif out in some good tackles and won a few headers. I tried to
take on a few players when I got the ball and even played a through ball which
lead to Callum scoring. All the Charlton boys were really positive and
encouraging us constantly which was really good.
Kareem Kerai
Atif and Kareem exhibited that
they can compete at this level. Atif was about 80% fit for this game but given
the opportunity, we decided to give him a run out. They were both excellent and
showed some great commitment which was also recognized by the Charlton coach. At
the club, we are very proud of Atif and Kareem and hope this increases the
popularity of football in Pakistan.
Imran Ali
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