India's first women FIFA-AIFF Football Academy to come up in Telangana

Hyderabad: India's first women's FIFA-AIFF Football Academy is set to be established in Telangana.

It is expected to be announced during the Telangana Rising Global Summit on December 8 and 9 at Bharat Future City.

There is also a major international chess event being planned.

Women's football

The most significant initiative is the establishment of the Women's Telangana FIFA-AIFF Football Academy, a collaboration between the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This facility will be the first of its kind in India and only the second such dedicated women’s academy in the world after the one in Hong Kong. This monumental step is designed to position Telangana as a nucleus for high-performance women's football development.

FIFA's Global Vision for Indian Football

The dual academy launch underscores FIFA's commitment to India through its Talent Development Scheme (TDS), a global strategy focused on giving every talented young player a clear pathway to elite football. The AIFF and the Telangana government signed an MoU in August to kickstart this effort, and the new academies will expand upon the success of the existing FIFA Talent Academy for girls already in Hyderabad.

Key features:

World-Class Training: The AIFF, in coordination with FIFA, will oversee the operations, technical design, talent scouting, and the rigorous training curriculum, adhering to global standards.

Holistic Player Development: The academies will provide year-round, high-performance residential training for selected young players. The program is comprehensive, covering technical football skills, along with essential non-football elements like formal education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness services. The AIFF is actively recruiting staff, including an Education Coordinator, to ensure this holistic model is effectively implemented.

Equitable Development: The establishment of a dedicated women's academy, exclusively focused on training girls and women, is a major pillar in the AIFF's Vision 2047 to build India into a leading footballing nation and supports the goal of qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cups for both men and women.

Dual Thrust for Football Development

The summit will also see the announcement of the Men's Telangana FIFA-AIFF Football Academy. This is going to be the second center in India. The first one was established in Bhubaneswar in November 2023.

A New Chapter for Chess

In a parallel announcement, the Telangana Rising Global Summit is also anticipated to unveil the ambitious plans for the Hyderabad International Chess Festival. This move will further elevate Hyderabad’s profile as a global sports destination, drawing top players and enthusiasts to the state and diversifying its sports calendar beyond team sports.

The announcements are a centerpiece of the state's efforts to attract international collaborations and investment during the two-day summit at Bharat Future City, which is expected to host over a thousand delegates, including global business leaders and diplomats.