The English Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers will host month-long clinics throughout Colombia to recruit promising young soccer players to participate in an international tournament in England, scheduled for October.
Scouts will be on the lookout for skilled players between the ages of six and 18 in five major Colombian cities. “Hundreds of Colombian children will train with club coaches in Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Bucaramanga and Barranquilla,” explained Malcolm Griffiths, the team’s Latin American representative. The clinics will run from June 16 to July 15.
The best two players from each city will be brought to England in October to showcase their talents in an international tournament featuring other prospects from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, India, Norway, Malta, Poland, Egypt and Iceland.
“The children selected will have the opportunity to learn techniques from one of the best and most traditional English clubs and they can also be seen by sports teams from England during the tournament,” added Griffiths.
Currently, only two Colombians play in England’s top league, although one of the world’s most promising strikers, Radamel Falcao, is rumored to be in trade talks with this year’s Champions League winners, Chelsea. “El Tigre” scored 36 goals for Spain’s Atletico Madrid side this season.