Tag: Indian Super League

All Set for Season 2 of the Reliance Foundation Young Champs Program

Apart from popularising football in the country, the Indian Super League (ISL) is doing a good job of encouraging clubs to invest in grassroots football. In 2015, the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) initiative was kick-started as part of the ISL’s grassroots programme. The RFYC Program makes use of the ISL’s clubs’ grassroots initiatives to spot talented children from across the country between the ages of 11 and 14. The Foundation then offers the most talented and deserving children full-time residential scholarships to the Reliance Foundation School.

ATK RFYC Scouting

The RFYC Scouts with the Talents Picked by Atletico de Kolkata
Source: Indian Super League

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PSL and Mumbai City FC Partnership Boosts Grassroots Football

The Phoenix Sports & Leisure Group (PSL) India has been working to develop grassroots football in India over the last few years. They have set up organisations like Soccer Connections and Just For Kicks (JFK), where they coach children in football, talent development, and life skills. While JFK is focused predominantly on transforming education in low-income schools by introducing football to them, Soccer Connections aims to provide focused, fun, and family-oriented football training to children under the age of 12. They conduct their training sessions in affiliated schools, or on professional playing grounds.

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#PassItForward

With the Indian Super League (ISL) in full swing, Ola Cabs, the official ride of Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata, has decided to take the football fever sweeping the nation and put it to good use with their #PassItForward campaign. The initiative gives football fans a chance to show off their skills, challenge a friend and do some good for Indian football while they’re at it!  Here’s how you can #PassItForward:

Ola Cabs Pass It Forward

How To #PassItForward
Image Credit: Ola Cabs Blog

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Is Pelé’s Visit Enough to Revive Football in India?

In 1888, India held the first ever Durand Cup. Almost every year since then, spectators have watched for free, and last year’s winners were awarded Rs. 50 lakh as prize money. Once the British left, the Indian Armed Forces took over, and they have done a great job of keeping the cup and the sport alive for over 125 years. Unfortunately, this year the Durand Cup will not be played. Ironically, while the age-old football tournament was being cancelled, the city of Kolkata was getting ready to welcome football legend Pelé back to their city after 38 long years.

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TOI Launches Girls Soccer League in Mumbai

With all eyes on the launch of ISL 2 on October 3rd, the time has come for Indian sports fans to switch channels from the-c-sport-that-cannot-be-mentioned to football. Yes, the ISL may have a limited impact at the grassroots level currently, but it is a nascent 3.5 month tournament that has certainly brought football to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness.

In keeping with this trend, the Mumbai Mirror, part of the larger Times of India group of publications, has joined hands with Western India Football Association (WIFA) and Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) to launch a unique tournament called the Mirror Girls Soccer League. To be played over two weekends in October at the Cooperage 5-a-side pitches in Mumbai, the Mirror Girls Soccer League comprises three categories; Under-14, Under-16 and Open/Free Age. Matches will be 5-a-side with 4 substitutes with rolling substitutions.

Given that this is targeted at a demographic starved of quality competition locally, it is definitely an initiative that will give a massive fillip for girls football in Mumbai, Maharashtra and even other cities in India. We hope that the Mirror Girls Soccer League is a massive success! Spread the word and let’s get as many girls to be part of the tournament!

Here is a quick snapshot of the tournament details & how you can participate:

Dates: 10-11 & 17-18 October, 2015

Venue: Cooperage 5-a-side pitches, Churchgate

Format: 5-a-side with 4 substitutes (rolling subs)

Categories: U14, U16 & Open/Free Age

Last Date for Registration: 1st October, 2015

To register, write to themirrorbrand@gmail.com or call MSSA on 022 22693974 or 22620400.

Mumbai City FC Launch Grassroots Football League

Mumbai City Grassroots League

Mumbai City FC, who were awarded the Best Grassroots Programme by the Reliance Foundation earlier in May this year, have built on their initial success by announcing the launch of a new Grassroots Football League in the city. The ISL club has joined hands with the Navi Mumbai Area Schools Association (NMASA) to set up a much-needed youth league for children in the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 age groups. The Mumbai City FC-NMASA Grassroots Football League will be held at the Fr Agnel Sports Complex in Vashi and will provide boys and girls from more than 150 schools in the Navi Mumbai area with competitive matches in a well-regulated and safe environment.

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Delhi Dynamos Conduct Clinic & Carnival

Delhi Dynamos LogoIn more positive news for grassroots football in India, Delhi Dynamos FC, Delhi’s Indian Super League (ISL) team,  recently conducted a football clinic and a football carnival. The clinic and carnival were conducted to give kids a taste of their training programs and increase their support base.

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