TV9 Network’s groundbreaking football initiative, Indian Tigers and Tigresses, concluded on an emphatic note as the young football champs returned home after a landmark European trip. The “Special 28”, selected after a nationwide hunt, embarked on a groundbreaking journey to Austria and Germany to train with the best in the business.
The Indian superstars 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.
Later in the day, the football superstars were welcomed by the Austrian Embassy, where Katharina Wieser, Austrian Ambassador to India, showered praise on the programme and lauded the talented kids.
European training programme: A success for Indian football
The young Indian champs engaged in intense training sessions and also played matches against Gmunden Football Academy. The Indian Tigers & Tigresses football development programme unfolded in Gmunden, Austria, under expert European supervision.
The initiative was anchored by the India Football Centre, a crucial cross-continental partnership aimed at nurturing Indian grassroots talent through international exposure.
The Austrian government’s support played a vital role in enabling high-performance training and athlete exchange, reinforcing sports diplomacy between India and Austria.
Indian players underwent data-based performance testing, benchmarked against Under-14 elite academy standards in Europe – a first-of-its-kind experience for many of them.
Data-driven performance analysis & international collaboration
The evaluation involved cutting-edge metrics: speed, strength, recovery, balance, and football IQ, giving coaches actionable insights on each player’s growth path. The training environment in Gmunden was overseen by top Austrian coaches, supported by European sports scientists, making it a truly world-class setup.
The closing day included a heartfelt photo opportunity with all players, coaches, trainers, and Gerhard Riedl, President of the local club and a key figure in the India Football Centre.
Each player was presented with a custom T-shirt bearing the logos of the India Football Centre, Gmundener Milch (Champion Club), and the Tigers & Tigresses programme, symbolizing the spirit of global football collaboration.
TV9’s groundbreaking Indian Tigers & Tigresses football initiative concluded its landmark European training program. 28 young Indian footballers returned home after intense training in Austria, undergoing data-based performance testing and playing against local academies under the programme in partnership with the India Football Centre. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
