Fizan Bin Niyas started playing football about three years ago. A naturally gifted striker, the Grade VI student at Anikadu Santo Tomas School in Kottayam District now dreams of a career in the sport after being given a life-changing opportunity at the start of his football career. shine.
Fizan is a member of the Abu Dhabi-based Al Ethihad Sports Academy’s team that will compete in Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi Cup 2023 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi over the weekend of 18-19 February. Fizzan has played eight games in the Championship, including age-group matches against top clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester City. His goals against Manchester City and Persija Jakarta made his talent visible to all.
How did it all start?
Fizan’s older brother, Fahad, is a member of the Kottayam district youth soccer team. He had accompanied Fahd when he attended training at the Legendary Arts and Sports Club in Chahampathal, near Manila. After learning the nuances of the game, Fezzan joined the Eras Sports Center in Milady, which has formed a partnership with the Ezehad Sports Academy.
Fizan, a big fan of FC Barcelona and Brazilian star Neymar, has been awarded a place in Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi Cup in 2023 after the Ezehad Sports Academy decided to form a team with players from training centers from various countries. Opportunity.
Apart from Fizan, four other young football players from Kerala are also part of the academy’s teams in different age groups. Videos of the training sessions held at the Ayras Sports Center have been sent to the Al Ethihad Sports Academy authorities. After evaluating the performance of each trainee, the academy conducted online interviews with the shortlisted players before finalizing the lineup.
Achu Sankar, Joint Secretary of the Kerala State Football Association, who oversees the activities of the Al Ethihad Sports Academy in Kerala, arranged transport for Kerala players to Abu Dhabi. The tournament returned to the UAE capital for the first time since 2019, with 128 teams from 13 countries participating.
“The race was an amazing experience because we all had the opportunity to train under a famous coach three days before the race,” said Fizan, Adv’s second child. PJ Niyas and Shiji Niyas of Chamampathal Palakottal.