Man United to hunt for South-Asian talents with new grassroots program

Man United to hunt for South-Asian talents with new grassroots program

New Delhi: Manchester United, in partnership with Apollo Tyres, is determined to empower football talent across Asia. Through their “United We Play” initiative, the club recently hosted six promising young players from India, Nepal, Thailand, and the UAE at Old Trafford.

These players, chosen from a pool of 15,000 participants, experienced world-class training sessions with Manchester United coaches, giving them a glimpse of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

The initiative, now in its fourth year, focuses on identifying and nurturing football talent from untapped communities. Former United captain Gary Neville oversaw the competition’s finale in Chandigarh, where the top six players were selected. Nick Cox,

Uplifting football together! ⚽

Reflecting on an unforgettable journey, celebrating the impactful partnership between Apollo Tyres and Manchester United. 🙌#ApolloTyres #ManchesterUnited #GoTheDistance #UnitedWePlay pic.twitter.com/iIqFsbjqfm

— Apollo X Sports (@ApolloXSports) December 10, 2024

Manchester United’s Director of Academy, explained the programme’s aim, saying, “I hope this programme inspires young people. It’s important they see their dreams as achievable.”

John O’Shea, another former United star, joined the training sessions at Old Trafford. Despite torrential rain, he praised the players’ resilience and highlighted the importance of facing challenges to develop the toughness needed for professional football.

Alongside the players, over 100 coaches across India and other countries participated in Manchester United’s United Soccer Schools to further develop grassroots football.

While football remains overshadowed by cricket in India, the sport has seen significant interest in recent years. Events like the century-old Kolkata derby, which attracts over 100,000 fans, show football’s potential in the region. India’s football history includes successes like winning gold at the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962, but global achievements remain elusive.

With efforts like “United We Play” and the All India Football Federation’s Vision 2047 project, the dream is to turn untapped talent into future stars who can represent their countries on the global stage.

 Manchester United’s “United We Play” empowers Asian footballers with world-class training and life-changing opportunities at Old Trafford.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today