Football training hub for young female athletes inaugurated in Hyderabad, marking India's second FIFA Talent Academy debut
In a historic move for women's football in India, the first FIFA Talent Academy for girls was launched on August 2, 2025, at the Gachibowli Stadium Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana. This groundbreaking initiative is a collaboration between the All India Football Federation (AIFF), FIFA, and the Telangana Government, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the first Telangana Sports Conclave.
The academy, a key component of FIFA's Talent Development Scheme (TDS), is not only the first of its kind in India but also one of the very few FIFA Talent Academies globally dedicated exclusively to girls. It offers year-round high-performance training, residential facilities, education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness support to 30 girls (U16) and 30 boys (U14) annually.
The launch of the academy represents a significant milestone in the development of women's football in India. It provides girls from Telangana and other parts of the country access to world-class infrastructure and a clear pathway to national and international competition. The initiative aligns with AIFF’s Vision 2047 and Telangana’s Sports Policy 2025, both of which aim to boost football and sports development at grassroots and elite levels.
Speaking at the launch, A. Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, hailed the academy as a game-changer for girls in football. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey stated that the academy marks a defining moment in India's journey towards equitable football development.
The academy will be led by AIFF in terms of operations, technical framework, talent scouting, and training curriculum, while the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) will oversee infrastructure, logistics, education, financial, and welfare support. This collaboration is a step towards achieving the broader goals of promoting football development in India and building India into a leading footballing nation, as per AIFF's Vision 2047.
Moreover, the academy's launch is also part of a broader goal to develop Hyderabad into a national sports hub, as per Telangana's Sports Policy 2025. Ten players from Telangana will be included in each category, offering local talent a unique opportunity to excel in the sport.
The academy's launch is a significant step towards achieving these broader goals. It brings India one step closer to its vision of becoming a leading footballing nation and provides a platform for young girls to showcase their talent and strive for excellence in the sport.
- The launch of the FIFA Talent Academy, which focuses on girls, signifies a momentous shift in the education and development of women's football in India, aligning with the AIFF's Vision 2047 and Telangana's Sports Policy 2025.
- Beyond football, the academy's commitment to offering year-round high-performance training, education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness support demonstrates a broader opinion that nurturing athletes encompasses more than just sports to build a sustainable future.
- With the inclusion of 10 players from Telangana in each category, the academy serves not only as a news highlight for women's football in India but also as a catalyst for fostering sports talent and nurturing future champions within the region.
