Sri Lankan junior football stars shine at Allianz Junior Football Camp in Germany

Thursday, 22 August 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Allianz SE., the global insurance services provider, successfully carried out the Allianz Junior Football Camp 2013 for the fifth consecutive year.

Allianz Lanka, a fully owned subsidiary of the German insurer, granted the opportunity to two young football players from Sri Lanka to participate at this event. The camp took place in Munich, Germany from 6 to 12 August which was attended by 75 teenagers from 25 countries. More than 400 enthusiastic teenage football players applied from Sri Lanka. Ranju Silva from Kandana De Mazenod College and Abdul Afrar from Jamaliya Central College, Trincomalee took part in the Asian version of this camp in last June, in Thailand. Isuru Sandamal form Badulla Central College and Roshen Subash from Holy Cross College, Kalutara were the two lucky football players who joined the camp in Germany last week. Roshen, who has played for the under 13 national football team, described his experience as an opportunity to sharpen his skills after taking part in international training sessions conducted by Timon Pauls, a youth scout for FC Bayern München. Isuru stated: “This is a very rare opportunity for a Sri Lankan teenage football player. I’m glad to have had such an amazing experience during my first international tour and I’m hoping to utilise all that I learnt from this tour throughout my football career.” Isuru and Roshen, the maiden two players from Sri Lanka to the Allianz Junior Football Camp 2013, along with the other 73 participants had an exciting program this year, including the opportunity to play and train at FC Bayern Munchen, sightsee in Munich, visit the official team museum FC Bayern Erlebniswelt and a tour behind the scenes at the Allianz Arena. On 9 August, the teenagers were the guests of Allianz at the red-lit Allianz Arena when FC Bayern München played Borussia Mönchengladbach at the first game of the new Bundesliga season. Over the weekend, they watched a private FC Bayern München training session and got a chance to meet the players, including stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dante and Manuel Neuer. Allianz globally supports the Paralympics, Formula One and football. In Sri Lanka, Allianz has supported various sports over the years by supporting individual sportsmen/women, teams, schools and events that inculcate sporting habits.