AC Milan join forces with British Sikh coach for FA launch

London : Italian giants AC Milan have joined forces with Khalsa Football Academy founder Bal Singh to help launch a Football Association Community Development Centre designed to tackle the under-representation of Asians in football.Earlier this year, the FA released an action plan entitled Bringing Opportunities Closer to Communities to open up pathways for the Asian community across football in this country.They approached Singh – one of just a handful of British Asian coaches in possession of the UEFA A license – to establish a centre in North Hertfordshire as part of the inclusion drive to get more Asian youngsters playing football.Singh’s relationship with AC Milan dates back to 2004, when he visited the club as an aspiring coach before going on to set up the Khalsa Football Academy offering futsal and football coaching.“Eleven years on since my first link with AC Milan I am honoured and grateful to be working alongside AC Milan coaches to help launch the FA Community Development Centre,” the two-time Asian Football Award winner told Sky Sports.“AC Milan have supported me over the years and massive credit needs to go to their coaches for working with me on this launch and my professional development centre for elite technical development.” Coaches Simone Zaffenni, Marco Fasana, Andrea Scanziani and Jacopo Molinani led workshops for Asian youngsters ahead of the launch and AC Milan UK junior camp director Gary Wilson revealed why they wanted to be part of it.“We were very keen to get involved alongside the KFA and their ambitions for The FA Community Development Centre as we share common values and ethos for development,” he said.“Knowing that Bal Singh visited AC Milan 11 years ago, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to sustain a long link by bringing AC Milan coaches to the Community Development Centre and show what opportunities are available to all players.“The hope is that it will open doors that will enable development both socially and in sport. The initial opening day was a great event and a fun day for all involved and gave a taste of what myself, AC Milan Junior Camps and Bal want to achieve“A strong collaboration is what we all strive for and I envisage many future events and workshops going forward.”