5T Chairman Interacts with FIFA’s Global Chief of Football Development Arsene Wenger

Bhubaneswar: 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian on Tuesday interacted with Arsene Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development at FIFA.

The 5T Chairman held discussion with Wenger during his visit to the iconic Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar for inauguration of the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy.

Pandian showed the upcoming sports science center in Kalinga Stadium to Wenger, who was impressed with the commitment of the Odisha Government towards sports development.

Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along Wenger inaugurated the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in front of the full house Kalinga stadium during the India vs Qatar encounter at Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 joint qualification campaign in Kalinga Stadium.

This is a major initiative to boost football development in India. AIFF and FIFA are partnering with Government of Odisha in establishing this academy. As many as 50 talented football players in the under 14 years category will be selected for the academy from across the country, including 15 Odisha players.