BENGALURU FC's GRASSROOTS PROGRAM, AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL!

The year 2013, became the benchmark for the corporates entering in to the sports setup, especially football in India.

As the Jindal group started a new club from Bengalore, named as the Bengaluru football club.

The key player and also the first player to be signed by the club was non other than Sunil Chhetri.

Club's success and continuous upward trend.

6 trophies in 6 years, remarkable.

The draught was countered with the success,not only at the national level but at the International level too.

2016 AFC Cup final, one goal loss was too harsh but the valuable points gained by the club in that tournament and in succession, made possible for us to have a team in the champions league.

But, let's keep everything aside and talk about the future model of the club!

The academy, age group teams and the best out of the players.

This is the real model which most of the clubs have failed to replicate successfully.

The academics are irregular and non useful in many cities.

Even the TATA academy did great job in producing fine players, only drawback was not having a senior team.

So the players had to beg contracts elsewhere, where the set up changed.

They lost valuable learning time and performance dipped.

In case of BFC, this thing is not there.

Players are largely in the same set-up untill they profess as the senior pros and move in to similar setup clubs, mainly ISL clubs with good facilities.

The void is minimum and does not hamper the growth of the player.

Most of the academies created a hype;  but I don't see any usefulness in that because of the niche they have created.

Whenever the academies are open to mass public, then only the true goal is fulfilled.

It's a tough job but the main objective lies here only.

Like i said, they have residential academes but also the programmes are in continuation.

They hold trials regularly, scout players from around the country, provide them the best facilities and help them grow, become better.

They play competitions regularly too!

This model is showing good results with around 10-15 players coming in to the senior team set-up.

Many will come in the future too.

Also, the bench strength is very much but the club do try best to get games for each of them.

They play state division league with young players, perform better and give them valuable experience.

The Durand cup success, where they lost to a full fledged FC Goa side on penalties is one of the larger view point of having the reserve team.

The continuing of this model and opening up for the female footballers in different age groups is something we can be proud off.

The Indian football setup is loss making affair, puting up so much and find ways to sustain is itself commendable.

Bengaluru FC is doing it perfectly, they clear licencing duties every year.

Despite the senior team dip in performance, every one in the Indian football setup know that it will not much time for a club like to do well and be at their best.

The reserve league and qualification for the NextGen Cup.

It's really one of the good moment and opportunity for the club to test and improve their academy setup.

The chances of the young players getting noticed and signed for the european clubs will be add-on advantage.

Ultimately, Sunil bhai always mentioned that "had he been around 19 during Sporting lisbon stint, he would have stayed there for long"

This opportunity is for the young players, almost all of them have that zeal to learn which makes them special.

The performance in that cup will make other teams to follow the suit and do well in the grass roots.

Because, once the roots will become strong then only the tree and the fruit will reap better.

In the case of sleeping gaint, India, every club needs to seed better then only the overall growth will happen of the Indian football.

The clubs can take inspiration from BFC !