November 29 – Tottenham Hotspur’s Global Football Development team has partnered with India’s Kickstart FC in a bid to support the development of local players and coaches in Bengaluru, India.
Kickstart FC is an Indian professional football club from Karnataka. Their women’s team participate in Indian Women’s League and the men’s side competes in the BDFA Super division, the third tier of Indian football.
In an official announcement made yesterday in Bengaluru, the partnership was unveiled with Tottenham club ambassadors Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles.
Spurs will lend expertise in the form of spurs global football coaching team using training methodology similar to that of the Spurs academy.
A select group of promising youth players will have the chance to travel the UK to train at the Spurs Academy.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch event, Ledley King, Ambassador, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We will be bringing our authentic coaching methodology to this region through our Global Football Coaching team, with the aim of making a positive and lasting impact on the Indian football landscape with Kickstart FC.”
This initiative underscores a strategic effort to develop emerging talents within Kickstart FC through exposure to top-tier training and developmental opportunities provided by Spurs.
Shekar Rajan, Founder and Chairman at Kickstart FC, said: “We are glad to have entered into this partnership with Tottenham Hotspur, one of the biggest clubs in world football. There is no doubt that this partnership will help both clubs, as we are looking to learn a lot of best practices from them and thereby strengthen our youth development and women’s football.”
India and its 1.4 billion population has been long regarded as a sleeping giant in terms of football. The federation is under new leadership and the country has ambition both to improve on the pitch and to host major tournaments as it opens up to a more international development of its domestic game.
Laxman Bhattarai, Founder & CEO at Kickstart FC, concluded: “This collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur is a testament to our commitment to raising the bar for football development in India. We are confident that the shared expertise and resources will not only benefit our academy but will also contribute to the overall growth of Indian football. We are excited and will look to play a pivotal role in football development in India.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734895249labto1734895249ofdlr1734895249owedi1734895249sni@g1734895249niwe.1734895249yrrah1734895249
