5T Chairman VK Pandian’s Forward Thinking Initiatives Taking Football to Next Level In India

Bhubaneswar: Arsene Wenger, the Chief of Global Football Development, FIFA, one of the most influential persons of the world’s largest Football governing body, was on a visit to India recently. The purpose of the visit was to promote the game in the most populous country of the world through various interventions and tie ups. An important aspect of his landmark visit to India was his presence in Odisha – the emerging sporting and gaming destination. During his visit to Odisha, he witnessed the signing of the MoU between All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Government of Odisha, to set up the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy at Odisha Football Academy in Bhubaneswar. The Academy is one of a kind facility that will play an important role in the development of football in the country.

During his important visit to Odisha, Arsene Wenger went to the new training academy in Bhubaneswar – that is part of a wider national initiative to identify and develop the best young talents in the country. Launched in 2022, the academy aims to increase global competitiveness in both men’s and women’s national-team football so that more countries can shine on the world stage.

Speaking during his visit, Wenger said “I’m happy to be in India with my team. I saw the facilities and the quality of infrastructure is great here in Odisha. We’ve realised that among 211 countries, most have no real youth education. The best countries have good education system for young children.”

During his visit to Bhubaneswar and its various sporting facilities, Arsene Wenger was mesmerized with Odisha’s sporting infrastructure and the government’s efforts to promote games through 5T Initiatives. He also had an interaction with VK Pandian, Chairman 5T Transformational Initiatives and Nabin Odisha about development of Football in India. At the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Pandian showed Wenger the Sports Science Center, one of the most modern in the country that impressed him with the commitment of the Odisha Government towards sports development.

During the interaction at the Kalinga Stadium, legendary Arsene Wenger, appreciated the facilities created by CM Naveen Patnaik in transforming the sports landscape of Odisha. The most modern Sports Science Center, with Cryotherapy facility for the players strongly impressed the legend. He also appreciated VK Pandian saying “You are very forward thinking”. In response, Pandian said “We look forward for your guidance and taking football to the next level.”

The inauguration of the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar will prove to be a milestone in the journey of football development in India. The Kalinga Stadium will become the hub of football revolution 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 players from Odisha.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chairman 5T Initiatives VK Pandian has been leaving no stone unturned to transform the State into the sporting hub of the country. Today, Odisha has become the most favourite destination for the sporting fraternity of the country.

After Hockey, now the time has come for Football to grow in the rightful hands of CM Naveen Patnaik and VK Pandian. Odisha’s ambitious is also going to play an important role in the Vision 2047 – a program to foster deep interest and provide necessary support to young athletes.

Odisha is the only state in the country which has invested a sizeable amount of resources for the development of football. The State government has spent more than Rs 100 crore for the development of six modern Football Training Centers in Bhubaneswar. Named as Odisha Football Academy, Bhubaneswar Football Academy and Capital Football Arena, the six FIFA certified pitches, comprise five natural grass surfaces and one artificial turf.

These academies are equipped with various modern amenities for the players, including LED lightings, changing rooms, seating galleries, gymnasiums, dedicated spaces for the coaches, and eco friendly ambience.

The football infrastructure in Bhubaneswar has no parallel in the country. The Government has been developing the infrastructure and facilities that are of FIFA standards. The training infrastructure includes Technical Staff for U-15 , U-16 , U-17 , U-18 , U-19 teams with dedicated Physiotherapist, Doctor, Automated External Defibrilator, Furnished Medical Treatment Room, Medical Insurance for Players, Full sized Football Pitches, Football Analysis & Discussion Rooms, Gymnasium, floodlights, Swimming Pools, Rooms & Facilities for Players and Staff etc.

The aim is to engage the young children of the state and encourage tham to pursue their passion and make potential careers in the realm of football. The government has also designed comprehensive grassroots development programs for children between the ages from 6 to 12 years. In the pipeline are coach education programs, School Leagues, State football leagues and Bhubaneswar’s Local Leagues that will further strengthen the grassroots connection. CM Naveen has said that “I believe that these new facilities will not only encourage the youth to pursue their passion for football, but also serve as a hub for football training in the country.”

5T Chairman VK Pandian’s contribution to the transformation of Odisha as a sporting hub is significant. A great sports lover, Pandian’s efforts during the successful hosting of the 2017 Asian Athletics Championship at the Kalinga Stadium at a short notice or the construction of the world’s largest Hockey Stadium in Rourkela within the record time frame for the Hockey World Cup are praise worthy. His determination and personal interest has led to the development of world class infrastructure at the Kalinga Stadium and elsewhere. VK Pandian is continuing to fulfill the dreams of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the development of sports and sportspersons in Odisha.