Former Indian footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo believes that the on-going leg of the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) 2024-25 in Kashmir gives an ideal platform to assess the players who are ready to play outside of Jammu & Kashmir.
This is the second time that the RFYS football tournament is taking place in the Union Territory and Wadoo was impressed with the quality of talent on display last season. He is predicting the competition to produce massive impact in the current term, saying that several young players were eagerly looking forward to the competition this year.
“Last year it was very successful and received a great response. Players enjoyed and had a great experience. We needed such tournaments for the youth. I also witnessed a few games and had a great experience. It will have a great impact this season too as everyone is waiting to participate. I am sure this season we will get to see players who are ready to play outside Jammu & Kashmir,” Wadoo said in an interview with the RFYS.
“Girls must continue to play such competitions to improve”
One of the key features of the RFYS chapter in Kashmir was the U-19 age-group event for girls. Wadoo garnered some key takeaways from those matches last year, adding that several female footballers participating in the games have the potential to play for professional clubs and even the national team. He, however, explained that they need to be trained adequately.
“Of course it was incredible to see girls participate too. I saw the finals last season and got to see some good quality players who can play for outside clubs and the national team as well if groomed properly. Yes, in order to improve they must continue to play such competitions,” Wadoo said.
Wadoo has underlined that the expertise of the coaching personnel needs improvement to optimally harness the potential of the players in the region. He praised the competitive playing environment provided by the RFYS, and explained, “I think the main thing we are lacking is quality coaching and competition. And definitely we have to improve in both areas. RYFS is giving us competition for both boys and girls and that is great but surely we must take steps to improve the quality of coaching.”
The ongoing matches in the U-15 boys’ age group saw SRM Welkin School, Lonestar Football Academy, GHFC Ganderbal, Green Valley Educational Institute & JK Public School all registering resounding wins.
The seventh season of RFYS football is underway in 10 regions including Mumbai, North & South Kerala, Goa, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata & Kashmir. The matches in Kashmir kicked off on 21st December, marking the second year of the competition in the Union Territory. This time, the tournament in Kashmir comprises 32 teams in total across both age groups in girls & boys with the matches being played in a league format.
Launched in 2016, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) aims to transform grassroots sports in India by providing a structured competition platform for schools and colleges. Since its inception, RFYS has been a stepping stone for young athletes to showcase their talents, with alumni such as Melroy Assisi, Hira Mondal, Makan Winkle Chote, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Shilky Devi Hemam, and Mariyammal Balamurugan progressing to professional contracts with Indian Super League and I-League teams, and some representing India internationally. Supported by coaches, players, educational institutions, clubs, academies, and state federations, RFYS is instrumental in nurturing talent and advancing Indian football across all levels.
About Reliance Foundation Sports:
Reliance Foundation’s sports initiatives have touched the lives of approx. 23 million young people since 2013 across the country from over 13,000 schools and colleges, enabling an opportunity for talented children anywhere to be able to achieve their dream of a career in sport. It is especially committed to ensuring more presence and the success of girls and women athletes in India and designs its programmes in a manner that offers them maximum opportunities. Reliance Foundation’s sports programme aims to develop the sporting ecosystem in India starting from the grassroots.
Through its scholarship and athletics programmes, the foundation currently supports over 200 athletes in more than 10 Olympic sports. It also operates three world-class athletics training facilities in India and has partnerships with the IOC, IOA, AFI, and Odisha government. Reliance Foundation runs the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) football academy, which is India’s highest-rated football academy, with many graduates going on to represent various ISL clubs.
The Foundation’s approach to developing the football ecosystem includes organising three grassroots initiatives: Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, RFYC Naupang League, and Reliance Foundation Development League.
