Odisha Chief Shri Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, marking a significant step in football development in India. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Kalinga Stadium, witnessed the presence of Arsene Wenger, Chief of Global Football Development at FIFA.
The talent academy aims to identify and nurture 50 talented football players in the Under-14 category, with 15 players hailing from Odisha. The academy will be under the guidance of a FIFA-appointed coach, supported by various coaches and staff from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Odisha government.
This collaborative initiative between AIFF, FIFA, and the Odisha government underscores a shared commitment to elevate football standards in the country, according to official sources.
Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik expressed optimism about the potential of football in India, especially among the youth, stating, “There is a lot of talent in football in India, and with proper coaching facilities, our team can perform very well in the future. I am happy that we are able to partner with FIFA and AIFF to create such academies. Odisha will support football projects and work in close collaboration with AIFF for football promotion in India.”
The inaugural event took place amidst a packed audience at the Kalinga Stadium during the India vs Qatar encounter in Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 joint qualification campaign. Arsene Wenger, during his visit to the stadium, also assessed the state-of-the-art sports science center under development at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar.
Shri VK Pandian, Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives), and Nabin Odisha engaged in discussions with Wenger regarding the proactive steps taken by the Odisha government in advancing sports infrastructure across various disciplines. The AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy stands as a testament to Odisha’s commitment to fostering talent and contributing to the growth of football in India.