Pune: After two years of successful execution of their grassroots programs, the Rajesh Wadhawan owned Indian Super League franchise FC Pune City will continue the development of football at the grassroots level in a structured manner. The club has created a comprehensive plan to build a strong football framework within the Pune region. With a clear intent of providing professional opportunities to learn and participate in the sport, the focus will also be on nurturing talent by providing them progression platforms from an early age.

In 2017, the club’s approach to grassroots will be two-fold, led by technical director Roger Lamesa (UEFA Pro-coach), where they will conduct various programmes under FC Pune City Grassroots banner and work with the Indian Super League’s mandate for every club of talent scouting with the aim of shortlisting candidates for the Reliance Foundation Young Champs programme and also create a youth league in the city.

In addition to having a full-time residential academy, the club will conduct multiple programs including Train the Trainer, School Workshops, Grassroots Festivals; thereby adding more firepower to their junior squads. At present FC Pune City is the only ISL team to boast of a residential academy. The Club presently has 4 junior teams that trains throughout the years under guidance of its coaches – U-18; U-16; U-14 and Women’s team.

“We need to align and integrate all the raw talent and nurture them from a young age which in turn will catapult the city of Pune into the new hub of Indian football. It’s a young city and there is definitely enough potential. The need of the hour is to provide a platform to the young players through high-level training and development programs. We are continuing with two of our flagship programmes; first being a coaching workshop for coaches, parents, PE teachers and footballers and then followed by a talent scouting & development program,” explained FC Pune City’s CEO Mr. Gaurav Modwel.