In a milestone step that reflects both foresight and determination, Athlead , the sports development arm of Shrachi Sports Endeavour P...
In a milestone step that reflects both foresight and
determination, Athlead, the sports development arm of Shrachi
Sports Endeavour Private Limited, has announced a long-term
partnership of three years with German Club
FC Ingolstadt 04, a football club renowned for their academy. This
three-year collaboration aims to establish and operate the Athlead
Sports Academy in India, with direct technical and educational support
from FC Ingolstadt 04. FC Ingolstadt 04 is widely recognized for its exceptional
youth development programs, producing players who excel at both national
and international levels, making it an ideal partner for nurturing Indian
football talent.
The
cooperation agreement was formally signed in Munich in the presence of Mr
Rahul Todi, Managing Director, Shrachi Sports, Mr Tamal Ghosal, Chairman,
Shrachi Sports, Mr Didi Beiersdorfer, Chief Executive Officer, FC Ingolstadt
04, Mr Manuel Baum, Sporting Director & Head of Youth
Development, FC Ingolstadt 04, along with Dr Dorothea Deneke-Stoll, Mayor,
Ingolstadt, marking a significant milestone in the partnership and
underlining the commitment of both parties to the development of Indian
football.
Under this
agreement, Athlead plans to implement residential academies in Burdwan
& New Delhi and a Football academy in South
City International School in Kolkata designed to
provide structured training environments for young Indian players. The primary
objective is to identify and develop Indian football talent using German
methodologies and standards, preparing players to compete in the Bengal Super
League and higher-level leagues both in India and abroad.
“This
unique partnership is beyond building academies; it is about creating a vision
for the future of Indian football. By collaborating with FC Ingolstadt 04, one
of Europe’s leading developers of football talent, we are providing Indian
players and coaches access to world-class training and exposure, helping them
achieve their full potential both nationally and internationally.” said Mr
Rahul Todi, Managing Director, Shrachi Sports.
As part of
the collaboration, FC Ingolstadt specialists will travel regularly to India to
conduct workshops, training programs and on-site implementation. The
partnership will also support the design of academy infrastructure, scouting
systems, coach education and player-development pathways. Knowledge transfer
will be conducted across key areas such as sports science, fitness
& rehabilitation, goalkeeping, match analysis, psychology and pedagogy,
ensuring a comprehensive approach to player development.
Indian
coaches from the BSL Academy will have the opportunity to undertake job-shadowing
placements at FC Ingolstadt 04’s Youth Academy in
Germany, gaining first-hand experience of elite European training techniques.
Sixteen selected Indian players will also participate in winter
programs, starting with two-week training programs in Germany,
followed by extended three-month residential stints in
subsequent phases. This structured exposure will allow young talents to
experience world-class coaching, competitive environments and international
standards. Joint scouting initiatives in India and Germany will further
strengthen the identification and nurturing of promising youth prospects.
The
implementation process will unfold over three years. In the first year, FC
Ingolstadt specialists will conduct a detailed analysis and develop a
comprehensive concept plan for the BSL Academy, including multiple workshops in
India. The second and third years will focus on implementing the academy
structure, conducting periodic training sessions, organizing advanced education
programs and carrying out performance evaluations. The final phase will include
a review and recommendation report to ensure the sustainable growth of the BSL
Academy beyond the partnership.
This
collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s football development
landscape, merging German expertise with Indian ambition. Through Athlead’s
initiative, the Bengal Super League aspires to create a world-class football
academy ecosystem, promoting grassroots development, international exposure and
a structured pathway for Indian players to compete at the highest levels.
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