Mumbai: Aimed at developing football in the state, The Western Indian Football Association (WIFA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Sporting Ace Private Limited (SAPL) which will see an infusion of 100 crore for a period of 10 years into the sports.
The partnership will roll an ambitious and dynamic blueprint to develop in all the districts of Maharashtra with the funds being used to aggressively promote the sport at the grass roots level, grow the bank of young football players, increase the number of certified coaches, spread gratification in cash and kind, spreads its message to every nook and corner of the state.
Talking at a press conference to announce the partnership, Souter Vaz, Hon Secretary of WIFA said, “Nearly one year of research and ideating with extensive fact-finding trips throughout the various affiliated districts, has been undertaken before both WIFA and SAPL came up with a blue print that has been deemed to be achievable.”
Earlier while most development plans would revolve around the bigger cities, first-hand information has made it clear that Football is very popular in all the districts of Maharashtra and enjoys a huge following amongst the younger generation. This interest only needs to be channelized in the right direction, with the best facilities and just rewards awaiting those who excel. This is what the partnership between WIFA and SAPL is confident of achieving,” he added.
“We believe in WIFA’s vision and commitment towards developing and growing football in Maharashtra. A lot of man hours have gone into coming up with a vision that is definitely ambitious but at the same time realistic. At SAPL we are confident that this historic partnership will galvanise and inspire more and more youngsters to play the sport of football with much more passion and commitment as there is a bright future awaiting all those who share this vision,” said Sagar Pol Chowdhury, MD, Sporting Ace.
Initiatives to be undertaken:
Revival of Rovers Cup with a purse of 1 crore
Mahayudh –Asia’s biggest talent hunt: A mammoth talent hunt along with all the District Football Associations throughout the state targeting in excess of 50,000 players and through them reaching out to more than 50,000 families.
District FA Development
Coach Development, Referee Education Digital Media Development
By Indian Sports News Network