New Delhi: News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses, the landmark football talent hunt programme, concluded with a bang as the young champs returned home on Monday after a dream-come-true trip to Austria and Germany, which culminated with a visit to German top-flight club VFB Stuttgart. The “Special 28” of Indian football, selected after a nationwide hunt, trained and showcased their talent in front of the top European coaches in Gmunden, Austria.
Out of the 28 kids, four were selected for a 2-day training session with VFB Stuttgart’s Under-12 squad at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.
From India to Austria to Stuttgart: Training at VfB Stuttgart
The four kids – Akshita Swami, Japleen Kumar, Manav Kiran Patel and Arjun Singh -, handpicked by the coach of German club VfB Stuttgart, youth development partner of TV9 Network’s initiative, got the opportunity of a lifetime to train with European kids under the supervision of world-class coaches. The Indian players engaged in intense drills, including fast-paced passing, precision and passing under pressure.
On Day 2, Brain Kinetics coach – a FIFA ‘A’ license expert in cognitive-motor training – took the young Indian champs under his wings. It wasn’t just about football anymore, it was about wiring the brain to think faster, sharper, better.
A training experience like no other
The drills were scientifically designed to boost agility, memory, and reaction time. The kids gleefully accepted the challenge and stood up to the task effortlessly.
The kids also had the chance to meet Leonie Maier, Germany’s women’s football team defender, at the massive MHP Arena and engaged in an autograph session, which was followed by a casual lunch.
The kids then explored dressing rooms, media zone and the team tunnel, where legends of the game had once walked.
Following the historic European trip, the young champs met with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandavia on their return home. The Union Minister hailed the News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses campaign and encouraged the kids to strive for the 2036 Olympics and FIFA World Cup.
Future of Indian Football
From a whopping 50,000 registrations, 10,000 participants were selected for the regional trials, but only 28 talented superstars were picked for a special training programme in Austria and Germany.
The Indian Tigers and Tigresses campaign – the world’s biggest football talent hunt programme for age groups of 12-14 and 15-17 categories – was launched in April 2024 and concluded with 28 footballers realising their football dream.
The young champs recieved a historic send-off from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who blessed the News9 “Indian Tigers and Tigresses” initiative at the What India Thinks Today (WITT) Summit in New Delhi on March 28.
News9’s “Indian Tigers and Tigresses” concluded its landmark football talent hunt. Twenty-eight young footballers embarked on a life-changing trip to Austria and Germany, culminating in a training session with VfB Stuttgart’s U-12 team. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
