The national camp would be held in Dubai from June 25 to July 7. After the camp, the 27 member squad will head off to Nou Camp, Barcelona for a month long exposure trip where they will play five practice matches.
Wadoo who was in the Valley for a month long vacation joined the camp only after getting clearance from his club East Bengal, who earlier were not willing to allow their players to join Indian team for such a long camp.
The premier football clubs of country Mohun Bagan and East Bengal had earlier written to the All India Football Federation that players would be released in accordance with FIFA rules which state that for a friendly match the national probable will be released 48 hours before the event while for a tournament they would be released 14 days ahead.
However, following meeting between AIFF and club officials, nine players have been released for the preparatory camps to be held in Dubai and Spain during June-July ahead of the Nehru Cup that will be hosted in the Capital from August 19-31.
Wadoo believes that the national camp and the exposure trip will help the players prepare well for the Nehru Cup which will be held in Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, he said, “The national camps and exposure trips are very important. It is like a pre-season for the national team. Last time we had a trip to Portugal, which helped us a lot to prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup. This time also the camp in Dubai and the exposure trip to Barcelona will help the players a lot to regain their full fitness and get ready for the Nehru Cup.”
Led by chief coach Bob Houghton, the Indian team is scheduled to land in Dubai on Thursday and it will train once a day at Al Wasl Club ground.
The Dubai and Barcelona training camps are part of the team’s preparations for the Nehru Cup to be staged in New Delhi from August 18-30. India have also qualified for the Asian Cup to be held in Qatar in 2011 and these training camps are seen as part of the team’s build-up to the high-profile events.
Wadoo said that it is well-planned move of AIFF to organize such a long camp in places like Dubai and Barcelona.
He said, “In India we don’t have the facilities which are available outside for high profile coaching camps. Bob Houghton is experienced campaigner and he knows what is better for the team. It is his plan to train the team outside country.”
Indian team has played only one international game in the last twelve months. Wadoo wants to see an increase in the frequency of matches and is hopeful that the national team will go into the 2011 Asia Cup with the best possible preparation.
“If India has to improve its FIFA rankings than I think one game in 12 months is not going to help, we need to play more matches” he said. “But for that the domestic tournaments like I-League have to be scheduled in such a way that we can play more international matches. I hope the AIFF makes proper arrangements so that we go into the 2011 Asia Cup with best preparation.”
About his own targets in the camp he said, “Before our last friendly against Hong Kong, our coach tried me out in both defense and midfield so I hope he will do the same this time also. Since I have played in defense for much of last season it would be easier for me to play there.”
About Barcelona trip he said, “It is dream of every footballer to visit place like Barcelona, in that respect I’m fortunate that I got the chance. Currently Barcelona is top club of world football and they have got players like Messi, Eto, Henry.”
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