Chennaiyin FC conducts finals selection for young champs

The festival was conducted by Chennaiyin FC technical director of grassroots and first team assistant coach Syed Sabir Pasha along with several other coaches and volunteers.

This year Chennaiyin FC shortlisted 64 boys all around Tamil Nadu.

Chennaiyin FC conducted a scouting festival for the final selection of kids from Tamil Nadu for the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

The festival was conducted by Chennaiyin FC technical director of grassroots and first team assistant coach Syed Sabir Pasha along with several other coaches and volunteers, under the supervision of Reliance Foundation Young Champs technical director Piet Hubers.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs is an initiative launched by Reliance Foundation. The aim of the programme is to spot top footballing talent in the country through the Indian Super League’s grassroots initiatives between the ages of 11 and 14 and give them the necessary impetus to enhance and hone their skills.

All eight franchises of the ISL contribute through their various grassroots initiatives to help scout the talents who are ultimately hosted at RFYC’s Navi Mumbai facility. Over the past two years, the programme has successfully selected 41 ‘Young Champs’.

This year Chennaiyin FC shortlisted 64 boys all around Tamil Nadu. After the final selections of all eight Hero Indian Super League franchises, the final list from Tamil Nadu will be announced.

Local great and former India international Sabir was happy with the effort put in by all coaches, volunteers and of course the young talents of the state as he said, “I feel everybody involved with our grassroots program has worked diligently to ensure we find the right talent and give them the best training possible.

“Reliance Foundation Young Champs is a fantastic initiative, giving aspiring young footballers a great platform to learn and develop. We thank Piet and his team for their support”.