A first half strike from Keisham Bikash Singh was enough for the club to secure their second youth league title of the season, after the Under-17 side won the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League earlier this month.

The only goal of the match came in the 40^th minute after Arambam Deepak Singh put in a low cross from the right wing which the Minerva defence failed to clear properly. The clearance deflected off Bikash Singh and found the bottom corner of the net. The Cubs put in a resolute defensive display from then on led by Khupkhanlian, Maibam Mangalsana Meitei and Prabhjot Singh and well marshalled by Captain Jasmeet Singh from the centre of midfield. Prabhjot received the Player of the Final award for his performance. Goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta pulled off some stunning saves to maintain the lead for his side.

Punjab FC edged past Parappur FC Kerala 1-0 in the quarterfinals with Jasmeet Singh scoring the winner. The Cubs dominated East Bengal in the semi-finals to win 5-1 and qualify for the finals. Keisham Bikash Singh scored a brace while Taibang Nganba Takhellambam, Prabhjot Singh and Arambam Deepak Singh scored the other goals for the winners.

Punjab FC had earlier qualified for the knockouts by finishing second in Group C of the final round. In the first match, the youngsters went down to Minerva Academy FC 1-4 but bounced back to beat Football 4 Change Academy, Manipur 4-1 and Jamshedpur FC 3-0 to take them to the knockout rounds of the league. 

The Sandeep Alhan coached side finished second in the North Zone Regional Group stage to qualify for the Playoffs of the Final Round. They scored eight unanswered goals past Namdhari Sports Academy and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and beat Sri Dashmesh Martial Sports Academy 4-0. The only defeat came in a 1-6 loss to Minerva Academy FC. In the Playoffs, Punjab FC beat Kerala Blasters and Alchemy International FA, Bengaluru in identical 4-1 scores to qualify for the final round.

The youth teams of Punjab FC have been having a terrific season qualifying for the National Championship of all age group categories, winning the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League earlier this month. The same side also clinched the Dream Sports Championship. The Sub-Junior team reached the semi-finals of the Final Round of the AIFF Sub-Junior League 2024-25 where they went down to FC Madras in the penalty shootout after both teams were tied 0-0 in regulation time.

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The squad performed at the highest level, beating top clubs from around the country till they were knocked out during the Quarter Final stage by East Bengal FC on penalties on 22nd May 2025.

Throughout the tournament, the young Islanders displayed a high level of technical ability, tactical discipline, and competitive spirit. With nine wins and just one loss, Mumbai City started the tournament strong in the group stages and established themselves as the team to watch, which is a testament to the club’s youth development system.

The squad featured only Mumbai-based youngsters, reflecting Mumbai City’s commitment to developing homegrown talent of players and coaches. The club’s academy offers a clear pathway for young players to grow through the ranks. Tanishq Pandya, Moksh Girap, Veer Chothani, Arnav Singh, Advik Majumder, Siddhant Chiplunkar, Ayush Koul, and Swaraj More were part of the first intake when academy operations resumed post-COVID in 2022-23, joining the U13s and moving up to the U15s in 2023-24. Livaan Mittal, Shvet Patil, Nirrvan Tikone, Anuj Kale, Samridh Jha, Devansh Wayal, Neil Mathew, Hridhaan Pawar, and Tathagat Eleswarapu were scouted in the 2023-24 trials, signed for the U13s, and promoted to the U15s this season (2024-25). Viraj Arora joined the U15s in 2023-24 as one of the younger players, while Rian Uniyal and Ranvir Chona were scouted through local leagues and signed for the 2024-25 season. All are homegrown players developed through the club’s system.

Mumbai City have created a professional environment for their academy players to grow with certified coaching staff, modern equipment, and structured training regimes that focus on both individual skill and team development. The club ensures that each player is trained in technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of the game

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D’souza Football Academy continues to leave its mark in Mumbai Youth football scene after its impressive performance at the MFA Award Nights for the Yuva President League (YPL) 2023-24 season. The academy’s push in nurturing young talents was emphatically recognized with a remarkable haul of 17 nominations and 3 well-deserved wins across various age categories.

Consistency in Youth Development

This year’s accolades continue a trend of excellence for Dsouza Football Academy, which has remained a consistent title challenger across age groups for the past three seasons. Their track record at the YPL speaks volumes about the academy’s focus on player development, tactical discipline, and winning mentality.

From winning titles to earning individual accolades, the academy’s teams and players have proven to be a force to reckon with on the Mumbai football scene.

Remarkable Performances Across Age Categories

• Under-13 Boys – 4th Place
  Head Coach: Samson Jones
  The U13 boys played some exciting football throughout the season, narrowly missing out on the podium. Four players were nominated for individual awards, which just showed the depth of talent within the squad:
  • Mateen Mosaani – Best Goalkeeper Nominee
  • Ayush Gupta – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Malank Shetty – Best Defender Nominee
  • Krsn Shetty – Best Forward Nominee
• Under-15 Boys – Champions
  Head Coach: Nishad Mandalkar
  The U15 side emerged as champions in their category with standout performances throughout the campaign.
  • Dhveer Shah – Best Goalkeeper Award Winner
  • Sarvesh B – Best Defender Nominee
  • Yohaan Dsouza – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Nirvaan Jain – Best Forward Nominee

• Under-17 Boys – 3rd Place
  Head Coach: Joseph Dmello
  The U17 boys finished strong, securing a third-place finish with a balanced squad that received multiple individual award nominations:
  • Divit Malkani – Best Goalkeeper Nominee
  • Arya Upadhyaya – Best Defender Nominee
  • Ethan Dsouza – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Saket Garude – Best Forward Nominee

• Under-14 Girls – Champions
  Head Coach: Clayton Dsouza
  The U14 girls remained unbeaten through most of the season and clinched the title in dominant fashion.
• • Norah Bhattacharya – Best Player Nominee

• Under-17 Girls – 3rd Place
  Head Coach: Nishad Mandalkar
  A fantastic campaign capped off with two award winners and two more nominations.

• • Samruddhi – Best Goalkeeper Winner
  • Vamika Udeshi – Best Defender Nominee
  • Divya Basantani – Best Midfielder Nominee
  • Yashika – Best Forward Winner

Mumbai Premier League 2024-25: A Season in Numbers

A Vision Driven by Passion

At the heart of this success lies the clear and ambitious vision of Clayton Dsouza, founder and director of the academy. A certified coach with a background in grassroots development and a relentless passion for the game, Clayton has nurtured an environment where young players are not just taught football — they’re developed as athletes and individuals. His mission to provide structured, high-quality football education in Mumbai has laid a strong foundation for long-term success.

“Our mission is to nurture personal growth while instilling the values of sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork. Through our dedicated efforts, we strive to produce skilled football players who embody the spirit of fair play and contribute to the advancement of sports in our country.” says Clayton.

Expanding Reach Across Mumbai

As an AIFF Accredited Academy, Dsouza Football Academy has made access to quality coaching easier for young footballers in the city. With operational centers at Mira Road, Borivali, Malad, Goregaon, Andheri, and Bandra, the academy ensures that passionate players from all corners of Mumbai have the opportunity to train and grow under certified coaches.

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This league is designed to provide young footballers with invaluable playing experience while also contributing to AIFF Accreditation Programme points for participating clubs.

Kick-off Date & Venue

The league kicks off on February 10, 2025, and will be played at St. Francis D’Assisi Grounds, Borivali West (Astroturf). Matches will be scheduled between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, ensuring an exciting and competitive atmosphere under the floodlights.

League Format

The MYJ Blue Cubs League 2025 will follow a round-robin format, culminating in a knockout round for the top four teams. The best-performing team in the round-robin stage will be crowned the League Winner, while the Cup Winner will emerge from the knockout rounds.

Who Can Participate?

This league is open to all clubs and teams, regardless of state association affiliation. The goal is to foster a competitive yet inclusive environment that helps young players grow.

Age Categories

Under 7 (5 vs 5) – Players born in 2018 & 2019

Under 9 (5 vs 5) – Players born in 2016 & 2017

Under 11 (7 vs 7) – Players born in 2014 & 2015

Match Details

U-7 & U-9: Two 12-minute halves with a 4-minute break

U-11: Two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute break

Rolling substitutions allowed to maximize playing opportunities.

Ball size: Size 3 for U-7 & U-9, Size 4 for U-11.

Guaranteed Match Time & Exposure

With an aim to register 20 teams per category, each team will get a minimum of 19 matches (subject to registration numbers). The league strives to provide maximum game time and exposure for young talents.

Awards & Recognition

Player of the Match awarded for every game

Trophies & Medals for League & Cup Winners

Special Awards: Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Golden Boot, Most Promising Player

Participation Certificates for all players

Last Date for Registration: February 3, 2025

For details, please contact Agnelo +919833912340 or Jonathan +91 9004303508

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Building on its mission to invest in grassroots football, Mumbai City FC is proud to announce the commencement of Season 2 of the AIFF Blue Cubs League 2024-2025 powered by Reliance Foundation, which will take place from January 15, 2025, to March 9, 2025.

The league will feature teams from various academies competing in three age groups: U9, U10, and U11. These young players will compete for the championship title, showcasing their skills and potential for a future in the sport. The U10 and U11 age groups will include teams from E7 Football Academy, Tipu Sultan FA, Bravo Football, Bravehearts FA, Mumbai City FC, Somaiya Sports Academy, BFC Soccer Schools, and Anstrengung United (7 teams in total). The U9 category will have an additional team, Homegrown Grasshoppers, bringing the total number of teams to 8 in this age group.

The Mumbai City FC Blue Cubs League 2024-2025 will be hosted at the Wings Sports Centre, Bandra West, Mumbai. The league, held in affiliation with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA), Western India Football Association (WIFA)and All India Football Federation (AIFF), will run from January 15, 2025, to March 9, 2025.

Kandarp Chandra – CEO, Mumbai City, commented: “Grassroots football development remains a priority for us at Mumbai City FC, and the Blue Cubs League is a key part of our efforts. We’re excited to see young players compete, grow, and showcase their talents this year. Their enthusiasm and commitment inspire us, and we’re proud to support the next generation of footballers. This league will be key in shaping their future in the sport. We thank MFA, WIFA, AIFF for their continued support in making this initiative a success”

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The inaugural ceremony in Tuem marked the beginning of a five-month-long league dedicated to nurturing football talent and building community engagement. The Little Gaurs League is not just a competition; its mission is to inspire the love for football, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen Goa’s football ecosystem. This year’s league will feature over 150 teams competing in more than 1,000 matches across four zones, creating numerous opportunities for young players to display their talent, develop their skills, and gain invaluable playing experience.

In Tuem itself, despite being only the second year, there are 32 teams participating displaying this region’s potential to be a talent hotspot for the state.

“Grassroots football is where the game truly begins.” said Nathaniel Da Costa, Head of Grassroots Football at Forca Goa Foundation. “We are excited to launch this sixth edition of the Little Gaurs League, offering young footballers a competitive and structured platform to grow their game and contribute to building a robust football community in Goa.This year we are grateful to have the support of Vianaar who have come on board as sponsors for this league. It’s with the backing of local partners, that we can grow and continue to develop young children in the region”

Echoing this vision, Varun Nagpal, CEO of Vianaar, shared, “At Vianaar, we believe in the power of sports to inspire and uplift communities. Supporting the Little Gaurs Leagues by Forca Goa Foundation reflects our commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a love for football among Goa’s youth. Together, we aim to build a brighter future through sports.”

The opening matches were held at the Tuem Panchayat Ground, one of the four venues for the league and over 50 children took part in the opening day matches. Matches will continue every Monday, Wednesday and Friday ensuring football action and opportunities for all participants.

The Little Gaurs League, an initiative by the Forca Goa Foundation, is dedicated to grassroots football, creating opportunities for young talent to grow and excel in the sport

Results: Matchday – 1

Under – 8 : Vintage 73 (A) bt GFDC Siolim, 8-0

Under-10 : GFDC Siolim bt Vintage 73 (B), 10-0

Under-12: GFDC Siolim bt GHS Revora, 0-3; GFDC Tuem bt Vintage 73(A), 1-0

Under 13: GFDC Tuem bt GHS Revora, 0-1

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Out of these 13 graduates, five players have secured contracts with the first teams of ISL clubs, while seven others have signed with the reserve teams of ISL clubs. Alan Saji and Sanatomba Yanglem will be part of FC Goa, while Supratim Das (Mumbai City FC), Subham Bhattacharya (Odisha FC), and Priyansh Dubey (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) have also earned spots in the first teams of their respective ISL clubs.

The seven graduates who will represent the reserve teams of ISL clubs include Karthick Thirumalai and Malhar Mohol (Chennaiyin FC), Prantik Saha and Harsh Palande (Bengaluru FC), Narendra Naik (Odisha FC), Shubhadip Pandit (Mohammedan SC), and Mihir Mohite (Mumbai City FC). Additionally, another graduate Mihir Mohite has also signed an amateur contract for Mumbai City FC.

These young talents earned their professional contracts on the back of standout performances across various competitions, including the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL), where they showcased their skills and potential. Over the past few seasons, 39 graduates from RFYC have earned professional contracts with Indian clubs.

Speaking about the signings, Robert Roelofsen, Head of Youth Development, RFYC, said, “Some of these players have been at RFYC from the start and have had to wait for their moment to shine. Every player has had to work extremely hard to get to the stage they have reached. Their hard work is an example to any young football player looking to make their mark in the professional game in India.”

One of the standout graduates, Priyansh Dubey, recently represented the India U-20 national team at the SAFF U-20 Championship and the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Noticing his potential, Mohun Bagan Super Giant offered the 18 year old a place in their squad. Expressing his gratitude, Dubey said: “Making my national team debut was a special moment in my career, and RFYC has played a crucial role in that journey. The guidance from experienced coaches and the supportive environment has immensely helped me grow both on and off the field. RFYC has prepared me to compete at the highest level and helped me fulfil my dream of representing India.”

In addition to Priyansh, three other RFYC graduates—Mohammed Sanan and Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh (U-23) and Aarush Hari (U-17)—have also represented India in various age-group national teams over the last couple of years.

The growing number of RFYC graduates securing professional contracts highlights the academy’s ongoing commitment to identifying and nurturing young football talent across India. RFYC continues to empower these players to realize their potential both on and off the pitch, contributing to the development of Indian football.

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Bengaluru FC took the Shield in the Under-11 category and also completed the double by winning the PSDL Cup. In the Under-9 category, Bangalore Super Strikers FC also completed the double by winning both the Shield and Cup. In the Under-7 category, The Football People Academy secured the League Shield but were beaten by Bangalore City FC in the Cup Final.

In the Under-11 category, Bengaluru FC remained unbeaten in the League, winning all 14 matches and securing 42 points with a whopping goal difference of 105, while Bangalore Super Strikers FC finished second with 36 points ahead of Bangalore City FC on goal difference, who also finished with 36 points. Bengaluru’s Anirudh Srikanth scored 23 goals to be the top scorer in this category, while South United Football Club’s Neerav M. Mandanna finished second, scoring 18 goals.

In the Under-9 category, there was a three-way battle for the League Shield as Bangalore Super Strikers FC, Bengaluru FC, and Bangalore City FC were tied on 42 points each. In the end, Bangalore Super Strikers secured the Shield on goal difference, while Bengaluru FC finished second, followed by Bangalore City FC. A3 Soccers attacker T. Devarajan Chellaiah was the top scorer in the category with 28 goals, while Bangalore City FC player David Alex scored 24 goals to finish second in the Top Scorer charts.

The Football People Academy lost only one game in the Under-7 category and secured the League Shield with 33 points and a goal difference of 45, followed by Bangalore City FC with 29 points. Mahesh Raj United FC finished third in the League with 22 points. Ranish Sachin Hegde of Bangalore City FC scored a whopping 37 goals in 12 matches to be adjudged as the Top Scorer, 12 more than The Football People Academy’s Nirvaan Sriram Chintala, who finished with 25 goals.

In the Final of the PSDL Cup, Bengaluru FC beat Bangalore Super Strikers FC 3-0 to win the Cup in the Under-11 category, while Bangalore Super Strikers FC’s Under-9 team gained revenge for their loss to Bengaluru FC in the senior category with a 2-1 victory to win the PSDL Cup. In the Final of Under-7 Cup Shield winners, The Football People Academy could not complete their double as they faltered 4-1 against Bangalore City FC in the Cup Final.

A total of 38 teams took part in the PSDL in the three categories. The matches were played in a round-robin format, with the teams competing against each other once. At the end of the League, the team with the most points was declared the PSDL League Shield Winners. The top eight teams in each category then qualified for the knockout round, where the PSDL Cup winners were decided. A total of 360 players participated in the competition, with 180 in the Under-11 category, 140 in the Under-9 category, and 40 in the Under-7 category.

The League garnered support from several leading brands. South United Football Club, who hosted the matches, was the Venue Partner, while Footrax was the Performance Analytics Partner. The League had Whistle as its Statistics Partner and The Right Player Sports (TRP Sports) as its Technical Partner.

The inaugural season of the Pyramid Sports Development League was organised by Pyramid Sports and aimed at providing kids at the grassroots level with match experience in a competitive atmosphere.

Also Read: Blue Tigresses’ squad for Uzbekistan friendlies announced

Also Read: Classic FA bag AIFF U17 Elite Youth League 2023-24 title

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A player from FC Goa’s league-winning U13 team, Aaryav emerged as one of the four winners of the ‘United We Play’ grassroots football competition, held by Apollo Tyres in association with the Premier League Club 

The winners were announced at a grand finale in Mumbai earlier this week, after the culmination of the third season of the initiative.

The young footballer from Margao was selected from a pool of nearly 6,600 budding footballers from all over India who participated in the competition, making it an incredible achievement for him.

“I’m thrilled and honored to have been selected as one of the winners and excited about the opportunities ahead. This win is not just mine but belongs to my team, coaches, and family, who have been my pillars of strength,” Aaryav Da Costa said.

As a winner of ‘United We Play’, Aaryav will travel to Manchester later this year, where he will get an opportunity to train under the coaches at Manchester United Soccer Schools. This is an exciting opportunity for Aaryav to hone his skills and further his career in football.

Earlier this year, the youngster was a part of the FC Goa U13 side that lifted the Goa Football Association (GFA) U13 First Division League. He was also the second-highest goal-scorer for FC Goa in the league, with 11 goals from 8 matches.

Aaryav’s latest achievement is a testimony to FC Goa’s efforts in scouting and player development. The Club is proud of Aaryav’s achievement and congratulates him on this well-deserved success

Also Read: Gokulam Kerala win big against Mata Rukmani, seal quarter-final spot

Also Read: India U17s gear up for Getafe clash

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The Mumbai City Golden Baby League will be conducted from April 23 running until May 28 at the Sporting Lions Turf, Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra, Mumbai in conjunction with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA), Western India Football Association (WIFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Seven prominent football academies from across Mumbai – La Liga Football Schools, Tipu Sultan FA, Footie First, Brave Hearts, Lemon Break, SSE BFC and Rising FA– will participate across three age categories from under 8s to under 10s alongside the Islanders in the month-long grassroots football tournament. The Islanders will also participate in the Golden Baby League with two teams the under-10s category.

Kandarp Chandra, CEO, Mumbai City FC said: 

“At Mumbai City FC, our aim is to help grow the game of football from the grassroots, starting here in our own backyard, in our own city. With the Mumbai City Golden Baby League, we want to play our part in enabling the young kids of Mumbai with a comprehensive platform to gain competitive experience and to show their skills. We thank the MFA, WIFA and AIFF for their support and we look forward to welcoming the academies.” 

Also Read: Resilient all-Indian Mumbai City FC prevail; defeat Chennayin FC 1-0 in Super Cup

Also Read: Farukh Choudhary rises from the ashes ahead of Hero Super Cup semis

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