Tyger Capital and IKF Partner for Grassroots Talent Hunt: 100 Cities in Season 4

by Chittu Shetty July 23, 2024

Tyger Capital has entered into a long-term collaboration with India Khelo Football (IKF), a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Indian grassroots football talent with the global ecosystem.

This partnership aims to enhance IKF’s efforts in making talent identification and selection more accessible across India. The IKF Trials, now renamed Tyger IKF Trials, will continue through Season 4, covering 100 cities for under-13, under-15, and under-17 boys and girls.

Since 2021, IKF has conducted three seasons of National Trials across over 60 cities and villages, with more than 17,000 players participating. The organization has scouted over 350 players for the National Finals, where ISL, I-League, and international academies select and train emerging talent. To date, over 100 players have progressed to further trials with various clubs and academies, gaining platforms to enhance their skills. These trials attract participants from diverse backgrounds, united by their love of football.

Some participants have achieved notable success. Suren Hansda from Jharkhand, scouted from the IKF National Finals, now plays for the FC Madras under-15 team. Other players, such as Chittransh Bam, Arjun Krishna, and Jonathan Jacob, are now part of Minerva Academy, FC Madras, and Football School of India.

IKF partners with regional football academies, including AIFF-accredited ones, to facilitate successful trials in each city. The scouting process involves multiple phases, maintaining a comprehensive database of player statistics accessible to scouts and players. Participants can review performance reports with insights for skill improvement through a digital platform.

Phani Bhushan, Director at India Khelo Football, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled about this partnership with Tyger Capital, marking it as the biggest collaboration made in Indian football at the grassroots level. We are confident that the resources from this partnership will help us scale our efforts and services for aspiring football talent across the country.”

Hitesh Joshi, Strategy & Partnerships Head at India Khelo Football, added, “It’s been a remarkable journey, yielding outstanding results for previously unidentified talent pools in India. Together, we aim to reinforce our commitment to ‘Aap Khelo Mauka Hum Denge’ shaping India’s football trajectory on the global stage. On behalf of the IKF family, I want to express deep gratitude to Tyger Capital, our teams, regional and international partners, ISL, I-League clubs, the kids, and their parents, who have enabled our goals with unwavering support.”

Gaurav Gupta, Founder, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Tyger Capital, commented, “We are delighted about the partnership with India Khelo Football for their National Trials. We are excited to see the road ahead for IKF Season 4 Trials, covering 100 cities across India, and encourage kids and their parents to enroll in the trials with a chance to enhance their football careers. IKF is leveling the field for aspiring football players in India with a structured career path, and we hope that our contribution will provide further impetus to this motive & purpose.”

Amit Vatsa, Chief Growth Officer at Tyger Capital Pvt Ltd, added, “We feel proud to be part of this collaboration and IKF’s mission to scout young talents from the remotest parts of the country and provide them with opportunities to become future stars of Indian football arena. We are confident that IKF’s initiative will have a larger social impact, propelling India to have its place among football-playing nations globally.”The IKF National Finals feature participation from ISL and I-League clubs such as Mumbai City FC, Goa FC, Kerala Blasters, and international organizations like ProSoccerGlobal and Sportsmate 360. IKF also offers PFSA-certified scouting training programs for aspiring coaches, with international partnerships bringing Premier League Academy scouts to India for workshops. Selected players showcase their skills to international academies, with some receiving scholarships, like Mongtsu Tungoe from Nagaland in Steven Gerard UK and Shubham Navelkar in Portugal.