Elsewhere In Football #14

India Project Update: Laying the Foundations for Football’s Future

Seven weeks into life here in India, both on and off the field, I’m beginning to feel settled. India is without doubt the biggest football puzzle on the planet, and to be here, trying to help put the pieces together, is one of the greatest challenges I’ll ever undertake.

The Challenge Ahead....

India is home to 1.4 billion people and arguably the most culturally diverse society in the world. The sheer scale of the country feels more like a continent than a single nation.

And yet, despite all this, India has never produced a world-class footballer, never qualified for a World Cup in living memory, and no domestic club has left a lasting mark on regional competitions.

The natural question is: why not?

My focus here is to help change that narrative. Working with the foundation, we’re building a complete pathway—from grassroots to the global stage. There’s a 5-10-15 year development plan in place, backed by funding, to make professional football a real possibility for India’s next generation.

Enthusiasm, Respect & Desire....

The opening weeks have been about building on the groundwork we laid earlier this year. On my initial visit, we toured academies and schools, attended tournaments, and integrated into local communities.

The biggest difference I’ve noticed compared to my time in Cambodia is the thirst for knowledge. Players and coaches here are not afraid of new ideas—they thrive on them. They’re enthusiastic, engaged, and always asking questions.

When it comes to the players, their desire to learn is remarkable. India is known for producing world-class engineers and medical professionals, and I see that same dedication being applied on the training pitch.

Laying the Foundations....

So far, we’ve launched three programs—with a fourth set to begin this November:

• Junior Kickers Program (U6): Every child has a ball at their feet, developing ball mastery while using their imagination in playful, adventurous sessions.

• Right To Play: A grassroots curriculum delivered free of charge to underprivileged children. We’re now coaching more than 200 kids each week, aged 7–10.

• Coach Education: Focused on grassroots coaching and talent identification. In early October, we’ll host Tanner Speed here in India for the next stage of this program.

• Junior Soccer League (coming soon): Launching in November, this will give young players their first taste of structured, competitive football.

Each initiative is designed to nurture Indian talent and create opportunities for those who might otherwise miss out.

Still a Long Way to Go...

We’ve made a promising start, but this is only the beginning. The reception and enthusiasm here have been overwhelming, and it’s a privilege to be part of something with so much potential.

There’s still a long way to go, but I feel incredibly motivated to stay focused and deliver on our goals. Together, we can build the foundations for a new era of Indian football.

#coachcpomroy

#bebold #bebrave #believeinyourself

#haldwani #india #sahayakfc