Japan’s efforts are paying off and with RFYC, we are moving in the right direction – Former India footballer Izumi Arata

Arata Izumi, the former India footballer with Japanese roots, is currently the head coach of U19 football with the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RYFC), and has seen the grassroots efforts that led to Japan’s qualification into the Round of 16.
Seeing some of the Asian teams lay a mark in the 2022 FIFA World Cup can be taken as a sign of encouragement for all the other Asian nations, and India is no different. The gaps are getting finer, and the process to get to the World Cup has already begun.
“In Japan’s case, it was a long-term plan to get a final result. And I think all the effort and passion is paying off. The effort was not just internal but also external, starting with the trend of football – how those top countries in the world play, study them, maybe sometimes copy them, and sometimes try to create their own football,” he said.
One of the factors to creating a strong grassroots system is to also have a strong league at the top of the hierarchy. Izumi alluded to the early days when the J-League made football popular in Japan, and a similar trend has been set off in India with the Hero ISL. This season, the crowd presence in the league has made the Hero ISL one of the most-watched leagues.
“I think the Reliance Foundation is doing a fantastic job, collaborating with Mizoram Football Association at 6-12 years old. Not just football but giving kids a fair chance at different sports, so that their motor skills can be developed,” Izumi said. “Our motivation is clear, we want to produce players who can elevate the level of Indian football in future. We are moving in the right direction and the Mizoram project is another promising initiative for us. We hope to continue making rapid strides towards seeing India play at the World Cup.”
Apart from the growing popularity of football in India through the ISL, work has been ongoing at the development levels through FSDL’s partnership with the Premier League that is growing the next gen of Indian players as well as coaches. At the grassroots level, RYFC is setting up a pathway with the 2022-23 season set to reach more than 33,000 students, alongside a collaboration with Mizoram Football association, which will focus on holistic development of sub-junior players.
With RYFC scouts all over the country, Izumi is confident that there are talents all around the country, and that the RYFC is making the extra effort to unearth these talents. The RYFC is one of many steps along with the ISL in developing a strong football culture around the country and contributing towards India’s presence in World Cups in the future.
Also Read: FC Goa go down to Mumbai City
Also Read: Carlos Pena: To be a big team we have to be consistent
WIFA announce squad for Santosh Trophy final Round
The 22-member squad will travel to Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 8th February 2023 to take part in the final Group round of the Santosh Trophy 2022-23 edition. The following players will…
Maharashtra striker Arif Shaikh to miss Santosh Trophy final round
The top scorer for Maharashtra in the first round of the Hero Santosh Trophy 2022-23 campaign – Arif Shaikh, is not named in the squad for the final round Sources…
MFA Weekly round-up: KSA maintains League lead, Atlanta FC keeps up the chase
It was another week of thrilling football action in the MFA league as fans were treated to a host of entertaining matches. The week started with Match 71 where Millat…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
FC Goa have completed the signing of Nikhil Prabhu, the defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-a-half-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him wear the Club’s iconic orange…
Holders Kerala, Goa to play opening match of Hero Santosh Final Round in Bhubaneswar
NEW DELHI: The final round of the 76th National Football Championship for the Hero Santosh Trophy will begin on Friday, February 10, 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The opening day of action…
KSFA to revive Stafford Cup after 3 decades
The Stafford Challenge Cup, which is an important part of Indian football history since 1938, is all set to return after 30 long years as the Karnataka State Football Association…
Traditional powerhouses, unlikely upstarts and generous hosts set to clash in 76th Hero Santosh Trophy
NEW DELHI: The allure of the Santosh Trophy is undeniable, enduring over time — protest, partition, and pandemic mere hurdles surmounted by the weight of a pan-India tournament that hones young…
ISL Final to be on March 18; Mumbai under consideration to host
The Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri, Mumbai is being considered to host the 2022/23 Hero Indian Super League final. Kolkata and Kochi are in the discussion too. The playoffs will…
Manolo Marquez: Yellow was fair but fourth official is not VAR
One of the big talking points of the game was Sanjeev Stalin’s booking, which referee Harish Kundu after consulting with the assistant referee had changed his initial Red into a…
India U20 / SAFF Women's Championship
Confident India begin SAFF U-20 Women’s C’ship campaign against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: The India U-20 Women’s National Team will depend on it’s mixture of youth and experience as they embark on their SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign in Dhaka. India begin…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…