Mumbai: Sports For All (SFA) has partnered with TV9 Network to support the ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ campaign, a talent hunt for under-14 boys and girls. At the ongoing SFA Championships in Hyderabad, footballers can register for the campaign at a kiosk. The SFA Championships feature over 23,000 students from nearly 400 schools, running from 15 to 28 October, 2024.
SFA chief revenue officer Darpan Kumar said, “We are excited to partner with TV9 and the ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ at the SFA Championships in Hyderabad. This collaboration strengthens our mission to inspire young athletes and promote grassroots sports excellence across India, fostering the next generation of sporting talent.”
TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das said, “The News9 ‘Indian Tigers & Tigresses’ initiative is a matter of great pride for us, as takes football in a whole new direction in India. We envision a future where Indian footballers are given opportunities to be in the global spotlight akin to any of the major footballing nations in the West. This is also one of the pillars that need to be leveraged in India’s ascendancy in the global head table. That starts by giving these players a level playing field, by making football a serious career option for these talented youngsters, and training them to be world-class players from a young age. This is not just about finding out what you are good at – it is about opening doors and lighting up thousands of dreams.”
The ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ campaign, launched in April 2024 through a partnership with football organisations such as DFB, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund, the International Football Institute, and others, aims to provide young football talent global exposure. The SFA Championships are part of SFA’s initiative to professionalise, organise, and monetise grassroots sports in India. The 2024-25 championships will be held in 10 cities, with 150,000 students from over 7,000 schools competing in 31 sports.
All matches, including football, will be streamed live on Sfaplay.com.
