Rudraksh Bansal becomes sole Telangana student chosen for FIFA Football Academy

Hyderabad: Rudraksh Bansal, a Grade 9 student of Glendale Academy, Suncity, has been selected for the esteemed AIFF FIFA Football Academy in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Rudraksh is the only student from Telangana to earn this honour and is among a select group of just 19 players chosen from across the country, after clearing five intense rounds of selection from among hundreds of aspiring footballers nationwide.

Nurturing young football talent

The AIFF FIFA Academy, established under FIFA’s Goal Project, is a flagship initiative aimed at identifying and developing India’s most promising young football talent.

The academy aspires to build a robust foundation for Indian players to eventually compete at the highest levels of global football, including the FIFA World Cup.

Commenting on Rudraksh’s achievements, Minu Salooja, director, Glendale Schools India said, “Rudraksh’s selection into the prestigious AIFF FIFA Academy is a shining example to his grit, discipline, and unrelenting passion for the sport. It’s not just a personal victory—it’s a moment of great honour for Glendale and a proud milestone in our journey of nurturing global talent. Following in the footsteps of our alumnus Shaliyanth Reddy, who is currently associated with FC Bayern Munich in Germany, Rudraksh has reaffirmed Glendale’s standing as a cradle for world-class sporting excellence. At Glendale Schools, we are deeply committed to empowering our students to dream big, push boundaries, and excel not just academically, but across all spheres of life.”

The motivation to chase dreams

Sharing his excitement, Rudraksh said, “Being selected for the AIFF FIFA Academy is a dream come true. It’s an incredible honour to represent my state and be among the 19 chosen from across the country. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every drop of sweat and every setback has shaped me into the player I am today. I am truly grateful to my coaches, mentors and especially Glendale International School for believing in me and giving me the foundation to chase my dreams. This is just the beginning; I am committed to working harder and making my school and country proud.”

About Glendale International School

As per a public note from the school, Glendale International School is part of a global network of premier international schools under Global Schools Group (GSG) - an initiative of Global Schools Foundation (GSF), which has won over 650+ prestigious awards for providing quality education