“The Goa sports ministry has given us a full-size ground that has players’ changing room. We have started with 157 boys who are aged between eight and 16. We will finally make a short-list of 100 and will train them for two years before sending to different clubs in the country,” Beto told The Indian Express.

The boys would train under two Brazilian coaches who are from top academies from their country. “One of them, Luciano has already started training. The other coach is expected to arrive by February-end,” Beto said.

“We will start sending some of our academy boys to Brazil for exposure trip from next year onwards,” he added.

It is learnt that a Sao Paulo-based sports management company is taking the initiative for a tie-up between the BFA and a top Brazilian soccer training school. Things will be finalised soon.

Back to his own career, and a story is doing the rounds that Beto might return to Mohun Bagan next season. Bagan is where the Brazilian started his journey in 2003. But his association with the then Bagan coach Subrata Bhattacharya didn’t hit the right chord and a miffed Beto chose to leave.

“It’s too early to comment on the issue,” Beto side-stepped the question. He, however, dropped enough hint as he said: “Kolkata clubs used to run their administration in a very amateurish way. But the situation has changed now, especially at Mohun Bagan. Now the players can fully concentrate on their game.