Marking a historic milestone for women’s football in the country, India’s first FIFA Talent Academy dedicated to girls—and the second overall—was launched in Hyderabad during the inaugural Telangana Sports Conclave at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre.
The academy, established through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Government of Telangana, is a key component of FIFA’s global Talent Development Scheme (TDS). It aims to provide elite, year-round training to young footballers and create a structured pipeline for nurturing future national and international talent.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, and senior state officials including Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, I&C and IT, attended the launch along with sports leaders and policymakers.
Located at the Gachibowli Stadium Complex, the academy will accommodate 60 elite youth players—30 boys (U14) and 30 girls (U16)—offering residential facilities, education, nutrition, mental wellness support, and medical care. Ten players from Telangana will be selected in each category, promoting regional representation.
“This is a proud day for Indian football,” said AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey. “The launch of India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls is a defining moment in our pursuit of equitable football development. This initiative will inspire young players—especially girls—to dream big and aim for the FIFA U-17 World Cups.”
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy echoed the sentiment, calling the academy a “game-changer for girls in football,” and highlighting its role in placing Telangana on the map as a national sports development hub.
The initiative is a strategic collaboration:
- AIFF will manage technical operations, talent identification, and training under FIFA’s framework.
- The Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) will support infrastructure, education, welfare, and logistics.
The academy supports broader goals:
- FIFA’s TDS vision: Give every talent a chance
- AIFF’s Vision 2047: Establish India as a football powerhouse
- Telangana’s Sports Policy 2025: Develop Hyderabad into a national sports hub
With this initiative, India takes a bold step toward gender-inclusive grassroots football and long-term international competitiveness.
