All posts tagged: grassroots

Dream Sports Foundation announces the second edition of the Dream Sports Championship

Dream Sports Foundation announces the second edition of the Dream Sports Championship

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Dream Sports Foundation (DSF), the philanthropic arm of Dream Sports, today announced the second edition of the Dream Sports Championship, building on the successful launch of its pan-India U-17 Club Football tournament in 2024. Set to begin in February 2025, the championship will be hosted across six cities, featuring Regional Rounds and a National Final, providing a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills. In another exciting development, this year’s tournament will also include a girls U-17 Championship at the National Finals, underscoring the foundation’s efforts to promote diversity in sports at the grassroots level. The tournament will also help AIFF identify potential youth talent for the Indian National Team. Bhavit Sheth, COO & Co-founder, Dream Sports, said “Building on the success of our inaugural championship, we are proud to announce the second edition of Dream Sports Championship with broader reach and impact this year. We are particularly excited about adding the girl’s championship this year. This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering grassroots talent through the development of sustainable programs.” The Dream Sports …

‘Players in Jammu & Kashmir must continue competing to improve,’ says Mehrajuddin Wadoo

‘Players in Jammu & Kashmir must continue competing to improve,’ says Mehrajuddin Wadoo

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Former Indian footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo has emphasized the importance of competitions like the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports 2024-25 (RFYS) for the development of young footballers in Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking during the ongoing leg of the RFYS 2024-25 football tournament in the Union Territory, Wadoo highlighted the tournament as a crucial platform for identifying players ready to step into professional football beyond the region. “Last year, the tournament was very successful and received a great response. Players enjoyed and gained valuable experience. This season, I’m confident we will discover players capable of playing outside Jammu & Kashmir,” Wadoo said. One of the standout aspects of the RFYS in Kashmir is the inclusion of a U-19 girls’ competition. Wadoo expressed optimism about the potential of several young female players, noting their capability to play for professional clubs and even the national team if provided with proper training. “I saw the finals last season and witnessed good quality players. Girls must continue participating in such competitions to improve. With the right grooming, they can achieve great things,” …

How a grassroots initiative is keeping swimming afloat in Bengal

How a grassroots initiative is keeping swimming afloat in Bengal

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Kolkata: Kolkata, once a thriving hub for swimming, is now grappling with limited opportunities for its youngest talents. However, a former India international sought to change this anomaly. A groundbreaking two-day club-level tournament, held on November 23-24 at the Eastern Metropolitan Club (EMC), marked the beginning of that change. For the first time in Bengal, the event provided children as young as seven with the opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive swimming in a lively environment, with crowds cheering poolside. “Our primary aim is to nurture young talent and provide them with competitive exposure,” said Akbar, a former national champion and one of the event’s key organisers. Speaking to The Bridge on the sidelines of the event, he recalled how the sport sank to a new low after the pandemic. “Post Covid-19 pandemic, grassroots swimming in Bengal hit rock bottom. There are very few tournaments, leaving a void for children under ten. This initiative is an attempt to revive the culture and give these kids a platform to build confidence and skills,” added Akbar. …

Olympians advocate for Grassroots Sports at SFA Championships

Olympians advocate for Grassroots Sports at SFA Championships

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The importance of grassroots sports took centre stage as Olympians and experts came together for “From The Ground Up,” a panel discussion held alongside the ongoing SFA (Sports for All) Championships in Bengaluru. Their consensus was clear: encouraging children to play sports, expanding grassroots participation, and embracing the unique lessons sport imparts are vital for individual and national growth. Srihari Nataraj, who swam in the 2024 Olympics, said he took the water early on: “I started swimming at 2. I was one of the kids who never cried and ran into the water,” he said. “I enjoyed the time I spent in the pool and started competing in small tournaments at the age of four. I had some success early and this gave me extra joy and passion. As a person, I was competitive and sporting and this made me choose swimming as a profession.” 16-year-old Tilottama Sen, who won silver in the Asian Shooting Championship last year, recounted her contrasting entry into sport: “Because of Covid, everything was shut down. My dad came up …

Manchester United Legend Gary Neville To Visit India To Support Grassroots Football Programme

Manchester United Legend Gary Neville To Visit India To Support Grassroots Football Programme

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Former Manchester United superstar Gary Neville will be present in India to support the grassroots football programme and motivate the young kids playing football in the country. Considered one of the greatest right-backs ever to play the game, Gary Neville’s illustrious career includes eight English Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League titles for Manchester United and he will be present in the finale of the fourth edition of the grassroots football programme. Neville will be seen in action at the grand finale of the fourth edition of ‘United We Play’ in Chandigarh on October 18, 2024. A rare one-club man, Gary Neville played for Manchester United for his entire career, spending almost 20 years with the club with a whopping 602 appearances for his boyhood club under his belt. He has also served English football with distinction with 85 appearances over a 12-year career for his country. The United We Play programme is an on-ground grassroots football initiative, supported by Manchester United to encourage young football talent from across geographies by …

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools partners with Southampton FC

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New Delhi: In a historic move for Indian football, Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools has partnered with English Premier League club Southampton FC. As part of the agreement signed between the two in the presence of media and other dignitaries here at a city hotel, BBFS will be the International Academy Partner (IAP) of The Saints, which will enable them to get priority access to the renowned SFC Academy Performance Plan, including coaching philosophy, tactics, strategy and curricula from the U6-U16 levels, besides exclusive access to the other online coaching resources. The agreement also envisions building player experiences through programs like staff visits, customised camps, and tournaments in England as well as in India. The announcement event was attended by Bhaichung Bhutia, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, Director of Southampton Football Academy, Andy Martino, Football Development Manager Programs of Southampton FC, Tom Grevatt and Co-Founder & CEO of Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, Kishore Taid. “At BBFS, we have always targeted the grassroots and have been quite successful in doing so and this partnership will help us …

Bangladesh’s Pace Revolution: Story Of Planning, Commitment At Grassroots Level

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For the last one month, Bangladesh is on a mission to reverse a long-standing trend of left-arm spinners leading their bowling. Two beanpole quicks are at the forefront of that changing of baton – Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana. They arrived on these shores after a sensational effort against Pakistan, but India could be a daunting destination even for the more experienced ones. But on the opening day of the first Test against India here on Thursday, Mahmud (4/58) and Rana (1/80) justified the hype around them, rather contrastingly. Mahmud owns lively pace but banks more on an exemplary seam position and other variations to make an impact, whereas Rana is the battering ram, looking to unsettle the batters with raw pace. It was evident in their respective approach at Chepauk. But Mahmud was more successful this day, taking four wickets – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant – a list that still remains a dream even for the more reputed names. Rana hustled Indians occasionally. He hurried Yashasvi Jaiswal …

The missing piece of the puzzle in indian sport

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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games delivered on its promise of enthralling sports lovers from across the world, with a brilliant display of athletic performance, camaraderie, grit and perseverance. However, the Indian sports fan was once again left pondering about the inconsistent performances from the Indian contingent. Our performances at Paris 2024 dished out mixed results. The contingent secured one less medal in Paris 2024 as compared to Tokyo 2020, and both tallies continued to be in single digits. Despite a substantial increase in public and private investment in Indian sport, we sent a smaller contingent of athletes to the Games in Paris, as compared to Tokyo. Post Paris 2024, there was a familiar melee amongst Indian fans, with the same unanswered questions being asked at different forums. The foremost being, “How can a country of 1.4 billion people win such few medals?”, with others questioning “How many years will it take India to finish in the top 10 of the Olympics?” Current state of grassroots sports in India Having followed the Olympics closely since Beijing …

AIFF launches Blue Cubs Development Centre programme

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has launched the Blue Cubs Development Centre Programme earlier this month, a very important step towards developing grassroots and youth football football in India. The initiative was launched on May 15 as part of the celebrations of the AFC Grassroots Day. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between grassroots and youth football in India in such a way a robust system is created, leading to the overall betterment of both grassroots and youth level football in the country. Blue Cubs is an elite grassroots programme to broadbase football across the nation, while also aiming to develop technical skills amongst the youth players. The elite youth players that come through the Blue cubs programme then proceed to play at the various age group leagues. The Blue Cubs program also has the Blue Cubs League, an initiative that offers age-appropriate game formats for children aged 4 to 12. The league recognizes that children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally at different rates and thus tailors playing formats accordingly. For children aged …

T10 Sports Collaborates with Schools to Empower Young Athletes at the Grassroots

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Sports play an important role in shaping children in various aspects of their lives. Besides staying active, it contributes to the holistic development of a child, which encompasses mental, physical, and social aspects. It offers learning experiences that can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. T10 Sports is leading a movement that empowers the athletes of tomorrow through school-sports partnerships. In a world where academics frequently take preference over sports, they have pledged to foster a culture of healthy living and sportsmanship that reaches beyond professional arenas, therefore developing sporting talent at grassroots levels. School Sports An increasing number of schools around the world are recognizing the profound benefits of sports in a child’s education. The Sehwag International School, synonymous of “Virender Sehwag” boasts of an ICC standard cricket ground. Their academy offers a rigorous and challenging sports program with all the best-in-sports training and facilities for athletics, basketball, badminton, equestrian and many more. Fortune World School, Delhi Public School, GD Goenka Public School and Pacific World School among many other schools have followed suit …