New Delhi: After months of rigorous trials and a nationwide hunt for India’s young footballing superstars, News9’s one-of-a-kind initiative Indian Tigers and Tigresses is all set to embark on an international endeavour like no other. The historic campaign which started on February 11 with the opening trials in Delhi made an inspirational journey from North to South, East to West in 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 far west in Maharashtra and Gujarat to West Bengal in the east.
Thousands of talented kids participated in the trials but only 32 kids were chosen to travel to Austria, where they will get a golden opportunity to train with the best in the business.
Nationwide search for young football stars: The Indian Tigers and Tigresses initiative
The unique talent hunt witnessed approximately 50,000 registrations in eight scouting camps across the country as kids from 16000 schools thronged the trials. Close to 3,000 girls and 7,000 boys were shortlisted after the registration process but only 32 made it to the finals after a series of rigorous trials.
The grand finale of the News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses football initiative concluded at the Sudeva ground in New Delhi on Saturday, March 8 and the selected kids are now ready to realise their football dreams in Australia.
The remarkable journey of India’s fab 32 footballers
From the heart of rural India to one of the biggest stages in world football, the journey of the ‘Fab 32’ is nothing short of remarkable.
Before taking the dream flight to Austria, the Indian Tigers and Tigresses will get the privilege to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at TV9 Network’s What India Thinks Today (WITT) summit on March 28.
After meeting the honourable PM, India’s young football champions will embark on a journey of a lifetime which begins on March 30.
Training with the best: Partnership with Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart, and Reispo
With ‘Reispo’ – one of the partners of News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses football initiative in Austria – the talented stars will train under the best European coaches, preparing for the global stage.
Four of these players will get the golden opportunity to visit VfB Stuttgart – official partner and German top-flight club – and train under Bundesliga standards.
The landmark talent hunt also partnered with the best in the business from Europe including the Bundesliga, India Football Centre, and DFB Pokal.
News9’s Indian Tigers and Tigresses initiative culminated in the selection of 32 young Indian footballers (boys and girls) for an exclusive training program in Austria. Following a nationwide talent hunt with over 50,000 registrations, these exceptional football talents will train with top European coaches. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
