After performing the inauguration rituals, Steven Dias gave an introductory speech to kick-start a new and ambitious chapter of his football academy. “To play at the highest level, you need dedication, discipline and proper training. Generally, one stops developing at a certain age due to lack of basics, that’s why we have started this academy. More importantly, we are here to guide you,” a pumped-up Steven Dias said.

As of now, there will be three batches of U-12, U-15 and U-18 category. The practice session will be held at KSA Ground, Churchgate on Wednesday, Friday evening and Saturday, Sunday morning. The second centre of Ambitious Football Academy will simultaneously run at Don Bosco Kurla Ground.

Don Bosco Kurla will see its first training session from next weekend. Currently, both the centre’s admissions are open where the interested ones can enrol themselves at the Academy. Furthermore, the Ambitious Academy coaches are happy to see the aspiring kids and they are very positive to build a team to compete in the upcoming tournament and MDFA leagues.

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Former India international Steven Dias along with his former club teammates Vijith Shetty and Santosh Koli formed Ambitious Football Academy, a Mumbai-based academy which believes that the time is right to involve young kids who want to pick up Football as a career.

Steven Dias, Vijith Shetty and Santosh Koli have completed their coaching licences. The former India International completed his ‘A’ licence, whereas, Santosh Koli have acquired ‘B’ and Vijith Shetty have completed ‘C’ licence, respectively, from AFC (Asia Football Confederation).

With such a vast experience of playing at the top level and now with a proper football coaching experience, the Ambitious team is confident to achieve success in this new exciting journey.

The first workshop of  ‘KSA – Ambitious Football Academy’ was held on 2nd December 2017 at KSA Ground which was a free workshop. More than 40 children turned up for the first day of the workshop where they were taught basic drills by the likes of Steven Dias, Vijith Shetty, Santosh Koli, Anthony Fernandes, Henry Picardo, Jinto Jose and Vikas Singh. The day 2 of the workshop went on to astonishingly witness more than 70 children who were also taught the basics of football.

Later that month, Ambitious Football Academy held a two-day football fest for U18 Boys and Girls at Don Bosco Kurla on 23rd and 24th December. Both the day saw more than 80 kids who participated in this extravaganza football fest which was widely appreciated by the parents for conducting a meaningful Football Fest for the kids of Kurla.

The first centre of Ambitious would be at Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) Ground with the training reportedly to kick-start in mid-January. The academy is starting with three age category, U-12, U-15 and U-18, which would be a huge opportunity for the kids to learn football from such an early age. The tentative days of the training are Wednesday, Friday (evening), Saturday & Sunday (morning).

To get enrolled in the Ambitious Academy, one can register themselves at http://www.ambitiousfa.com. To know more about Ambitious Football Academy, you can contact or write at [email protected] or connect at 9930767835.

About Coaches

Steven Dias – Known as the ‘David Beckham’ of India for his free-kicks, Steven Dias’ name has been quite synonyms in Mumbai Football and as well as in Indian Football. The 33-year old is an attacking midfielder who plays on the wings and is known for his long-range shooting, set-pieces, crossing and passing. He is also a Certified AFC ‘B’ License coach which makes him a perfect mentor for young aspiring footballers.

Dias has played for some of the top clubs in Mumbai which includes Air India, Union Bank of India, and Mumbai Tigers. Back in his peak, Dias had played for one of India’s top leading clubs Mahindra United where he represented them in NFL (National Football League) and AFC Cup.

In later stages of his career, Dias also had a stint with Churchill Brothers, Mumbai FC and Indian Super League (ISL) side Delhi Dynamos. He was a regular for the Indian National Team where he played an integral role in India’s win in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. Dias has made a total of 51 appearances for the National side which spanned over 10 years where he scored seven times in the process.

We are glad to have Steven in our family who we are looking forward to working with in order to find and nurture the talent in Mumbai.

Vijith Shetty – Undoubtedly, Vijith Shetty is one of the best midfielders which came out of Mumbai Football. The talismanic experienced Midfielder has been making his name in Mumbai Football since the turn of the millennium. Vijith started his football journey with Union Bank of India (UBI) in late 1990’s before his talent was acknowledged by Mumbai’s best football club Air India.

The long-serving midfielder of Air India didn’t fail to impress his new suitors as he went on to win everything which came in his way. Vijith’s midfield prowess earned him a call in Maharashtra’s side where he represented his state in Santosh Trophy as a Captain.

Vijith is known for his short-passing, long-range passing, tackling and set-pieces. His game reading is top notch which is acknowledged by many in the fraternity of Mumbai Football. Just like his former teammate Steven Dias, Vijith is now a Certified AFC ‘C’ License coach.

In the summer of 2016, Vijith was named as the ‘Best Midfielder’ in the inaugural MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) Awards Night at Cooperage Stadium. Respected and Adored by everyone, we are delighted to see Vijith helping young aspiring footballers in building a successful career in Football.

Santosh Koli – Just like Vijith Shetty, Santosh Koli has been a long-servant for Air India. The experienced and versatile defender has protected Air India’s goal for a very long time now. Santosh Koli made his name during his stint with Mumbai Customs which earned him an astonishing move to Air India where he established himself as one of the best defenders in Mumbai. He has represented Air India in every competition and has represented Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy as a Captain in Kashmir, 2007.

Koli is exactly what a complete defender should be. From right-back to left-back to centre-back. With Football becoming quicker, the positions are becoming more demanding. Defenders are reactionary players, they have to adapt and react quickly to the opposition, that’s where Santosh Koli has mastered himself.

Koli’s agility, strength, tackles, positioning and game reading is what made him a great defender. Hundreds of players came and went, but over the years, if there is one name apart from his teammate Vijith Shetty, it is Santosh Koli who has been a regular for Air India.

We are pleased and excited to see young aspiring defenders training under the tutelage of Santosh Koli who also happens to be a Certified AFC ‘B’ License coach.

About KSA – Ambitious Football Academy

We are a Football Academy who is in the belief that the time is right to involve young kids who want to pick up football and educate them about the game. With the football craze growing in the country, we feel that it’s the correct time that we should do something from our side to help the sport grow further.

We are a dreamer, who dares to live for a cause of being best from the rest; we believe in our self and dream to fly above all. We are focused, we are determined; we have the zeal to achieve what no one has achieved yet. We enjoy pain for our dream, we take failure as experience, and we live success as motivation. No one can stop us in achieving what we desire; we pledge to deliver the best because we are the epitome. We are Ambitious, living for a dream to become a reality. We are committed to helping the sport grow further.

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Both the day saw more than 80 kids who participated in this extravaganza football fest under the tutelage of Steven Dias, Vijith Shetty and Santosh Koli who have an enormous experience to lead the current generation and guide them towards the right path.

Parents who accompanied their kids appreciated and praised the Ambitious team after the festival concluded, thanking them for conducting a meaningful Football Fest for the kids of Kurla. Don Bosco (Kurla) has always been known for Sports and Education, and particularly Football. It was quite a day when the likes of Steven Dias, Vijith Shetty and Santosh Koli took the stage to continue the Football culture in Kurla.

Former Don Bosco’s club player Brian congratulated Steven Dias and the whole Ambitious team for conducting Kurla Football. He added, “In football, there is skill, agility, technique, and with a good amount of training and discipline one can become a good player and reach the top level just like our star of Kurla, Steven Dias.”

After the conclusion of the fest, Steven Dias explained that there is no difference between players as all of them are equally good and by practising further they can improve their skill and techniques which will help them to play at the top level. Dias also emphasize on studies which will keep the balance between Sports and Education.

In a statement released by Ambitious Football Academy, they appreciated the efforts made by Father Joe of Don Bosco Kurla. “The Ambitious Family is glad to have the support of Father Joe and Don Bosco (Kurla) family who made it possible to conduct this two-day football festival for the young generation of aspiring footballers.”

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