New Delhi: In a historic moment for Indian football, TV9 Network’s one-of-a-kind talent hunt programme Indian Tigers and Tigresses has reached international shores after making waves across the country. The European dreams of India’s most promising young footballers – 12 talented girls, 16 charged-up boys – have become a reality after the 28 kids, along with three Indian coaches, landed in Austria for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The 28 football champs recieved a historic send-off as Prime Minister Narendra Modi blessed this initiative at the TV9 ‘What India Thinks Today’ Summit on Friday, March 28.
PM Modi hailed the talent hunt programme for its uniqueness and said that the initiative will help shape the future of Indian football.
India’s young superstars embark on a historic journey
After months of rigorous trials and a nationwide hunt for India’s young footballing superstars, News9’s historic campaign has embarked on an international endeavour like no other. The one-of-a-kind initiative, which kicked off on February 11 with the opening trials in Delhi, made an inspirational journey from North to South, East to West for the hunt for top young footballing talent in the country.
The trials were split into age groups of 12-14 and 15-17 categories as boys and girls travelled from all across the country to participate in the biggest football hunt in the history of Indian sport. The talented youngsters were selected for the final after regional trials were conducted across the nation, from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Bangalore in the south and from the far west in Maharashtra and Gujarat to West Bengal in the east.
Thousands of talented kids participated in the trials, but only 28 kids have travelled to Austria, where they will get a golden opportunity to train with the best in the business.
The spirited youngsters bid emotional goodbyes to their parents and took a flight from Delhi, with a brief layover at Istanbul, en route to Austria.
The initiative has given the young guns a chance to train with Europe’s best in some of the best facilities and resources to ensure their growth and development.
Austria chapter begins with 1st training session
Upon arriving in Gmunden, Austria, the girls, boys and keepers underwent separate training sessions under the European coaches, who seemed happy with the standard of the players.
Gerhard Reidel, COO of REISPO, president of the local football club and India football centre, spoke to News9 about the historic partnership, the standard, the vision and the future of this project. Reidel also interacted with India’s young football superstars.
The young champs selected under the Indian Tigers and Tigresses initiative are not just ordinary players; they are the future of Indian football, and the Austria chapter is just the beginning. News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses: Thousands of talented kids participated in the trials, but only 28 kids have travelled to Austria, where they will get a golden opportunity to train with the best in the business. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
