by Jovito Lopes

Panaji, Jan 21 “Having talent is the key but children may be helped to reach their maximal genetic potential height through appropriate nutrition, training and recovery,” pointed out a study undertaken by Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) scientists and nutritionists who visited Goa in October last.“Goan children are much shorter and lighter than their UK counterparts and Indian footballers are typically smaller in stature. Baichung Bhutia is 1.72m,” the UK experts pointed out and added that “It is a well recognised fact that short stature due to poor nutrition is a serious problem in India with data from World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating that more than 40 per cent children in India have poor growth due to malnutrition. Although some children may have the genetic potential for tall structure, they may never achieve it due to nutritional deficiency.”

In all, 4653 players in the age group 10-16 participated in the ambitious programme and 190 children were tested and finally only 12 exceptionally talented ones were selected from the massive pool with two skill challenges developed by MUSS which were tested previously during UK MUSS residential programme being used to asses the ability of Goan football players, Mr Savio Messias, GFA secretary, stated.

Measurement of body mass, standing height, sitting height, measurement of sprint over 5, 15, 30m were ascertained using electronic timing gates and players were asked to perform two measured 30m sprints using photo electric cells. “Goan children are typically smaller and lighter than the age equivalent UK counterparts,” the study revealed.

Mr Messias disclosed that the UK nutritionists had stressed that “What you eat and drink can help one to play football and that the right food and drinks can help to stay healthy, have enough energy to play and have strong bones and muscles among several other benefits.”

Children were advised to eat as many as different foods since there was a limited variety included in the diets of majority of boys and not to eat, too often, foods high in fats such as fried stuff. That apart it has been found that despite higher dietary intake of fish and to a lesser extent meat, there was a considerable proportion of individuals whose protein intake would not meet their needs and that it could be possible that this would also result in a lowered zinc intake that could have implication for growth.

“Some boys took little milk or dairy products with the result that their calcium status could be compromised which may have an impact on bone growth,” the study stated.

Speaking about hydration, the report stated: “Fluid intake was less than would be expected when the climate is considered. The boys did not seem to appreciate the importance of hydration generally.”

The nutritionists who carried out the research at Fatorda with the senior students of Goa Home Science College providing necessary assistance, found that “compared to a group of boys of similar age in UK, the intake of western fast foods such as burgers, chips was very low.”

The pilot study in Goa, for talent identification achieved its primary goal, Mr Messias remarked and added that “nutritional intake, or lack of it, appeared to be a factor in growth limitation for some children for which there seemed to be cultural and financial factors. Mr Messias disclosed that only two of the selected players matched their counterparts in UK for height indicator, indicating that within the population there exists the capacity to achieve the desired values.

The selected children will now move to UK where they will be exposed to training, nutrition and recovery in an academy setting that would optimise their development.