Surabaya, E Java1 (ANTARA News) - The Surabaya city government, East Java, plans to send nine young talented footballers to attend a training program lasting two to three weeks at the Liverpool FC Academy, England, in October or November this year.

The nine young footballers, who have passed a selection test by an independent team, will be trained along with U-16 national team star Supriadi to hone their talent in Liverpool, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini noted here on Saturday.

The city administration has organized a U-14 football tournament for the Surabaya Mayor Cup on Nov 10 at the Sports Stadium here on Friday (Aug 31). The tournament is part of the efforts to select talented footballers to attend the training program in Liverpool.

"This tournament serves as a means to select young talented footballers aged below 14 years. If they pass the selection, they will be eligible for football scholarships to attend training in Liverpool," she noted.

Rismaharini said she had set up a talent scouting team to select talented footballers, who will later develop their skills under the guidance of the Liverpool coaching staff.

No date has been set for their departure.

The mayor said she still had to evaluate their departure date in line with Supriadi`s activities. Moreover, Liverpool will experience winter in November and December.

"I want them to dispatch in October. However, Supriadi can depart only in November, as he has a full line-up of activities. We are trying to evaluate this. Do not let the children get cold, so they cannot play," she added.

Reported by Abdul Hakim
Editing by Suharto

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Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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