New Delhi: News9’s Indian Tigers and Tigresses campaign continued its nationwide search for young footballing talent, as it built on the success of the Delhi trials with another exciting round of trials in Ludhiana, Punjab. The pan-India initiative, which aims at improving the level of football at the grassroots level in the country, provides young players with a golden opportunity to train in Austria.
After the blockbuster opening round trials in Delhi last weekend, the second round also saw a strong turnout of aspiring footballers eager to showcase their skills through the one-of-a-kind initiative supported by the Punjab government.
Young boys and girls thronged Govt. Sr Sec School, Kotala, Ludhiana with more than 600 kids turning up to compete for a chance to progress to the next stage. The age 12-14 category witnessed the highest number of participants, setting the stage for a competitive and thrilling selection process. The trials were conducted by the head coach of the women’s senior team and the men’s U15 team of Sudeva Delhi FC, Deepak Deswal.
The trials were structured to replicate real-match scenarios, with players divided into two teams for each category. The 12-14 age group kicked off first, with both teams battling it out over two intense halves of 10 minutes each. The match provided every player with the opportunity to display their talent across different positions, with kids excelling in all positions from forwards to goalkeepers.
Following an action-packed game in the younger category, the 15-17 age group took to the field in a similarly structured match. With competition levels running high, players gave it their all, hoping to impress the selectors with their skills, decision-making, and overall game awareness. A similar format was followed for the girls as well, with multiple children being selected from both age groups.
The best performers from both categories advanced to the next stage, bringing them one step closer to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with the best in Austria. The selected ones will be amongst a total of 400 boys and girls who will train and compete at a two-day camp in Delhi, out of which 32 boys and girls will be selected and sent to Austria, with a select few also earning a fully paid scholarship at Sudeva Delhi FC.
Young talent travels from Jammu and Kashmir for the trials
Indian Tigers and Tigresses Ludhiana trials
The trials saw various kids coming from all parts of Punjab, with many travelling from places like Amritsar and Pathankot. A young boy by the name of Saatvik Sharma, travelled all the way from Jammu and Kashmir to turn up for the trials. Hailing from a small village by the name of Gadigarh, located near Jammu, the young boy, aged just 12 showed immense determination and focus despite his young age.
He lit up the trials with his performances and shone brightly in his age group, becoming one of the five boys selected from his age category. His focus remains clear as he doesn’t intend to stop at this stage and aims to represent India in the future, having already played Nationals in the Indoor Football Championships.
Apart from them, three more boys were selected from the 15-17 age group, concluding the Punjab chapter for the boys. The 12-14 age group in girls saw four of them being selected for the Delhi camp while five were chosen for the 15-17 category.
Event partners:
Nutrition partner: Amul
Green Energy partner: GAIL
School Partner: Orchids The International School
Technical partner: Sudeva Delhi FC – Mr. Anuj Gupta co-owner and President of Sudeva FC & President of Delhi Soccer Association
The “Indian Tigers and Tigresses” has also partnered with the best in the business from Europe – DFB Pokal, Bundesliga, India Football Centre, IFI, BVB, and RIESPO among others. The programme is supported by the Government of India.
The schedule for the trials is listed below.
| State | Trial Date | City | School | Address |
| Delhi-NCR | 8th Feb, 2025 (Saturday) | Delhi | Orchids The International School | Sector – 19, Dwarka Goyla Dairy, New Delhi |
| Punjab | 12th Feb, 2025 (Wednesday) | Ludhiana | Govt. Sr Sec School, Kotala | Kotala, Samrala, Ludhiana-Chandigarh Highway, Ludhiana |
| Karnataka | 15th Feb, 2025 (Saturday) | Bengaluru | Orchids The International School | Yelahanka, Honnenahalli, Yelahanka Hobli, Doddaballapur Rd, North, Taluk, Bengaluru |
| Maharashtra | 16th Feb, 2025 (Sunday) | Mumbai | Orchids The International School | Cosmos Arcade, Azad Nagar, Opposite Brahmand Phase 4, Beside TMC Water Tank, Kolshet, Thane (West), Mumbai |
| Gujarat | 22nd Feb, 2025 (Saturday) | Ahmedabad | Nikal Sports Complex | Opp. Chanakya School, Near Shukan Cross Road, Nikol-Naroda Road, Nikol, Ahmedabad |
| West Bengal | 23rd Feb, 2025 (Sunday) | Kolkata | Orchids The International School | Thakurpukur – Bibirhat – Bakhrahat Raipur Rd, Rasapunja, Kolkata |
The Indian Tigers and Tigresses initiative continued its historic journey across India with the second round of trials taking place in Ludhiana, Punjab. The trials saw hundreds of kids competing for a chance to train in Austria. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
