Practice sessions of Suncity Shining Armours bring residents together

Suncity Shining Armours, a junior team from Suncity -- a gated condominium located in Sector 54 on Golf Course Road -- feel that participating in Hindustan Times Great Indian Football Action (HT GIFA)

Suncity Shining Armours, a junior team from Suncity -- a gated condominium located in Sector 54 on Golf Course Road -- feel that participating in Hindustan Times Great Indian Football Action (HT GIFA) will be a great platform for them to showcase their talents.

All team members in the age group of 10 to 13 years are training to polish their skills. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

HT GIFA, a football league for Delhi-NCR, gives an opportunity to football lovers and residents to play for their condominiums and societies.

The 10-member team is practising three hours every day to sharpen their skills and make their presence felt at the event. All team members are in the age group of 10 to 13 years. They will be participating in the tournament for the first time.

“The residents have given us a park, in which children are usually not allowed to play, to practise every day without spoiling plants. They come during our practice sessions and motivate us,” Varun Rao, the team captain, said.

“Parents have formed a WhatsApp group in which we share all details and keep everyone updated on any new development. The best part of this event is we are all getting closer and there is a feeling of belongingness in our condominium,” Tanu Anand, a parent, said.

The team is thrilled about the tournament and they have already decided on the jerseys. “The colour code of our team is black and black. Earlier, children used to be busy playing games on mobile and laptop, but after the event was announced, they are in parks practising soccer,” Ruchika Gupta a parent of a team member, said.

HT GIFA has brought a smile to parents’ faces as they were worried about the lack of outdoor activity of their children. The tournament is also bridging a gap between residents who never interacted.