New era in women’s football: India’s First FIFA Talent Academy for Girls launched in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In a historic move for Indian football, the country’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls was launched in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The initiative was unveiled during the first Telangana Sports Conclave held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre.

This marks a significant collaboration between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Government of Telangana, under the global framework of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS).

The academy is designed to serve as a high-performance training hub for young footballers across the country, particularly focusing on structured development pathways for girls.

State-of-the-art training and holistic support

The academy will be based at the Gachibowli Stadium Complex and will provide year-round residential training to 60 elite players, 30 boys (Under-14) and 30 girls (Under-16). Among them, 10 boys and 10 girls will be selected from Telangana, ensuring local representation.

Apart from intensive football coaching, the academy will offer holistic support, including formal education, medical care, nutritional guidance, and mental wellness programs, making it a full-fledged developmental ecosystem for young athletes.

National leadership voices strong commitment

Commenting on the launch, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey described the event as a watershed moment for Indian football. “The launch of India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls and the second for boys marks a defining moment in our journey towards equitable football development.

This collaboration with the Telangana Government under FIFA’s TDS framework reflects our shared commitment to nurturing talent, especially among girls and paving a pathway to the highest levels of the game,” Chaubey said.

He further emphasised that the academy will play a vital role in India’s ambition to qualify for the FIFA U-17 men’s and women’s World Cups in the near future.

Telangana’s push for inclusive sports infrastructure

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy hailed the project as a transformative moment for sports in the state, particularly for women’s football.

“This academy is a game-changer for girls in Indian football. It is not only the first of its kind in the country but also one of the very few globally under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme. Young talents from Telangana and beyond will now have access to elite infrastructure, structured coaching, and a clear pathway to national and international competition,” he stated.

The Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) will take charge of infrastructure management, education, logistics, and welfare, while AIFF will oversee technical operations and scouting in collaboration with FIFA.

Alignment with long-term national and global goals

The launch aligns with multiple strategic initiatives, FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS), which advocates the motto: “Give every talent a chance.” AIFF’s Vision 2047, which aspires to make India a global footballing force and Telangana Sports Policy 2025, aimed at transforming Hyderabad into a national hub for sports development.

This pioneering initiative cements Hyderabad’s position at the forefront of India’s evolving sports ecosystem and sets a blueprint for equitable, grassroots football development across the country.