Sporting United: A new sensation for Indian soccer fans

Sporting United in Jeddah, which is now providing football coaching to more than 80 children under 16, intends to establish a full-fledged football academy shortly, says its president Sadiq Pandikkad.
Sporting United took part and won a number of tournaments in a short period of two years. Now it has a Fan Club also, Sadiq said, adding that the club has become a new sensation for Indian soccer fans in the city.
“Our club has a professional approach on coaching, providing kids training to improve their physical fitness and develop their playing skills and other co-curricular activities,” Sadiq told Arab News.
Sporting United has a good training ground, experienced coaches like Rashid Alikal, Shabir Lava and Muneer and advanced training facilities, the president said.
Other than football, the club provides training in swimming, yoga and boxing and conducts study tours, parenting and talent empowerment programs and educational seminars.
“We are giving a vision to teens who are nowadays tied up in the world of social network. We have noticed change in teens within a short period. Their enthusiasm and full support of parents tell us to go further,” Sadiq said.
Sporting United started their coaching camp with 30 students. “Now they are with more than 80 trainees and many in waiting,” Sadiq said. The club provides training to children in two age groups– under 13 and under 16.
“Student members shall be exposed to various roles and responsibilities in the club and its activities, which in turn shall empower them to assume greater responsibilities in their later life,” Sadiq said, adding that teens are even given training to conduct press conferences.
Within the last two years a lot of sports clubs have bloomed in the city, giving expatriate Indian students more exposure to show their skills than before. 
“Sports clubs here normally concentrate on football training. It was the diverse activities of Sporting United that attracted me and I decided to come forward to support them,” said Yunus Ahmed, general manager of Naseem Jeddah Policlinic.
Sadiq thanked Naseem Jeddah for supporting the club in the first year.  That support was crucial as it gave the club an opportunity to establish itself and march forward.
The club is supported by ex-players, IT, literary, medical, and management experts. Diversified tasks are allocated to its organizers. 
Educationist and blogger Abdul Lathief is taking care of teen’s talent empowerment, singer Kareem Mavoor is in-charge of entertainment, IT specialist Rashid Maliyekkal and Ismail Kolakkadan organize seminars. 
Abdullah Master conducts yoga classes and Mustafa Chalil organizes educational tours and learn and play programs while Nazir Feroke and Ashraf Poyilthodi are program coordinators.
Former Indian football captain and coach Victor Manjila, former Indian Boxer and gold medalist Khalid Farooq and Saudi Indian Football Forum President Hifzsu Rahman have visited the club’s coaching camp.