Football

Gary Neville Inspires Young Footballers in IndiaFormer Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently visited India as part of the United We Play initiative, a collaboration between Apollo Tyres and Manchester United. The initiative aims to provide young footballers with access to world-class coaching and facilities.During his visit, Neville interacted with young players selected from Thailand, Nepal, and 18 cities across India. He shared his insights on the key elements for success in football, emphasizing the importance of skill, work ethic, and determination.Neville also stressed the value of education and personal growth beyond sports. He encouraged the young players to pursue their studies and develop as well-rounded individuals. "There is a life beyond sports," he said. "It's important to have options and to grow as great human beings."The United We Play initiative has grown significantly since its inception, with the number of participating players increasing from 5,000 in the first edition to 12,000 in the fourth edition. The organizers are committed to sustaining their efforts at the grassroots level to strengthen Indian football."We are committed to grow the game of football and help young emerging talent to express themselves," said Rajesh Dahiya, vice president of Apollo Tyres.Five boys selected from the program will have the opportunity to travel to Old Trafford for a match-day experience, training sessions with Manchester United soccer school coaches, and a chance to interact with the legends.Neville's visit and the United We Play initiative are a testament to the growing interest in football in India. By providing young players with access to expert guidance and facilities, these initiatives are helping to nurture the next generation of Indian football stars.

Former Manchester United legend Gary Neville will grace India with his presence to support the Apollo Tyres grassroots football programme, United We Play. Neville, renowned as one of the greatest right-backs in football history, will attend the grand finale of the programme's fourth edition in Chandigarh on October 18, 2024.Neville's illustrious career boasts eight English Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League triumphs with Manchester United. He spent nearly two decades with the club, making 602 appearances and becoming a symbol of loyalty and dedication. Neville also represented England with distinction, earning 85 caps over a 12-year international career.The United We Play programme aims to nurture young football talent in India by providing a platform to showcase their skills and introduce them to global training methodologies. Supported by Manchester United, the initiative has reached over 15,000 young footballers across 18 cities in India.Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Commercial, India and SAARC, Apollo Tyres Ltd, expressed his excitement about Neville's visit: "We are thrilled to welcome a player of Gary Neville's stature to India. His presence will inspire young footballers and offer valuable insights into his remarkable career."The fourth edition of United We Play was launched in Kolkata last year by former Manchester United and French footballer Louis Saha. The programme has expanded to include cities in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, reaching out to young footballers in Kathmandu, Bangkok, Dhaka, and Dubai.Neville's visit to India is expected to motivate aspiring footballers and further enhance the impact of the United We Play programme. His presence will provide a unique opportunity for young players to learn from a footballing icon and gain inspiration for their own journeys in the sport.

Prithviraj Sukumaran's Forca Kochi Team Aims to Ignite Football Passion in KeralaRenowned actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is enthusiastic about the potential of the newly formed Super League Kerala to inspire young people to pursue football. However, he remains realistic, acknowledging that significant progress takes time."We're not expecting a revolution, but rather the beginning of one," said Sukumaran, the owner of the Forca Kochi team, during the team's launch event. "We hope this league will provide opportunities for grassroots players and help them achieve greater heights."The Kochi team boasts an impressive roster, including six foreign players: Brazilian Raphael Augusto, Tunisian Said Mohamed Nidhal and Dziri Omran, Ivory Coast's Nangui Mockey Jean Baptiste, South African Ngubo Siyanda, and Colombian Rodriguez Ayoza Luis Angel. Former Indian goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury also joins the team.Additionally, the squad features several players from I-League clubs and Kerala's Santosh Trophy team, such as Nijo Gilbert, Arjun Jayaraj, and Hajmel Sakkeer.Sukumaran emphasized the importance of developing a strong foundation for football in Kerala. "We need to create a system where young players have access to quality coaching, facilities, and opportunities to compete," he said.The Super League Kerala aims to provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and aspire to higher levels of competition. By attracting foreign players and partnering with experienced coaches, the league hopes to raise the overall standard of football in the state.Former Olympic hockey bronze medalist P.R. Sreejesh, who unveiled the Kochi team's jersey, expressed his support for the initiative. "Football has the power to unite people and inspire young minds," he said. "I'm confident that the Super League Kerala will play a significant role in promoting the sport in our state."

FC Barcelona Shuts Down Academies in India After 14 YearsWorld-renowned football club FC Barcelona has announced the closure of all its academies in India, effective July 1, 2024. The decision comes 14 years after the club established its presence in the country with the aim of training young Indian footballers in the famed "La Masia" style.FC Barcelona has not provided an official reason for the closure. However, the club expressed gratitude to all the families, coaches, local staff, and Conscient Football, its India partner, for their contributions to the project over the years.The Barca Academy India was the largest grassroots football training and development initiative in the country. It operated multiple football training centers in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, offering programs, camps, leagues, tournaments, and exposure trips.The academy aimed to provide a comprehensive training environment for boys and girls between 4 to 17 years of age, focusing on developing their technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness. The program also emphasized the club's values of respect, humility, effort, teamwork, and ambition.Over the years, thousands of young Indian footballers have benefited from the Barca Academy's training. The academy has also been an active participant in the Barca Academy APAC tournament and the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona.The closure of the Barca Academies in India is a significant loss for the country's football development. The academy has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and promoting the sport at the grassroots level. It remains to be seen how the club's departure will impact the future of football in India.

La Liga Academy Football Schools, a global initiative of the Spanish football league, has expanded its presence in India by partnering with Bhawanipore FC in Kolkata. This collaboration marks the academy's foray into the vibrant football landscape of West Bengal.The partnership aims to establish a center of excellence that will provide technical support and training to young footballers in the city. The center will initially focus on boys in the under-13 and under-15 age groups, with plans to expand to girls in the future.The program's primary objective is to develop players for I-League second division, a stepping stone to the top tier of Indian football. Bhawanipore FC will scout talented boys from baby leagues and implement player development programs in schools across West Bengal.Miguel Casal, technical director of La Liga Football Schools India, emphasized the importance of developing Indian coaches. "We want more kids to play under the La Liga methodology. We will be visiting the centers and giving training to coaches," he said.The program also includes a pay-and-play scheme, providing opportunities for aspiring footballers to train under the guidance of experienced coaches. Bhawanipore FC is exploring partnerships with boarding schools in Kolkata to offer residential options for players.The academy's curriculum will be integrated with the Blue Cubs grassroots development project initiated by the All India Football Federation. Step Out Analytics, a football analytics company, will provide data-driven insights to enhance the program's effectiveness.This partnership between La Liga Academy Football Schools and Bhawanipore FC is a significant step towards nurturing young football talent in India. It aims to create a pathway for aspiring players to reach the highest levels of the sport while also contributing to the overall development of Indian football.