Hyderabad, Sept. 15: Five young footballers from Hyderabad represented India at an international youth football tournament in Carolina, USA, gaining valuable exposure against teams from several countries.
The players — Akshaan, Aditya, Arjun, Jasim Nawaz Khan and Saif Qureshi — represented Grasshopper Sports India during an eight-day international football tour. They competed against youth teams from countries including Brazil, Portugal, France, Italy, Japan, Ecuador, Norway, Sweden and the United States.
The Hyderabad youngsters returned home after showcasing discipline, teamwork and competitive spirit during the tournament. The event also gave them an opportunity to experience different styles of football and understand international standards of competition.
Grassroots football talent gets global exposure
The participation is part of Grasshopper Sports & Entertainment’s efforts to promote grassroots football and create international opportunities for young Indian players.
Welcoming the players at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, Agha Muzaffar Uddin, Managing Director of Grasshopper Sports & Entertainment Incorporations, said the trip was a matter of pride for the organisation.
“Our young players from Hyderabad have performed with great commitment and confidence against teams from across the world,” he said. He added that competing against international youth teams had given the players valuable experience that would support their development.
Grasshopper Sports India said international exposure at a formative age can help young players develop confidence, competitive ability and discipline. It can also give them a broader understanding of the game and different approaches to football.
The organisation said it plans to continue identifying promising youngsters and provide opportunities to train, compete and learn on international platforms.
Hyderabad has more than 131 football academies, classes, coaching programmes and facilities spread across 50 localities, according to the information provided by the organisation. The Telangana Football Association has 90 approved clubs, 3,698 registered players, 258 coaches and 11 registered districts in the AIFF system.
Hyderabad has also emerged as an important grassroots football centre in Telangana. The city has a growing network of academies, clubs, school programmes and youth leagues. The establishment of the AIFF-FIFA Telangana Talent Academy has further strengthened the pathway for promising young players.
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