Fifteen Indian footballers will soon begin professional football training at the Bundesliga first division club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Fifteen young Indian footballers were selected in a nationwide competition comprising of more than a thousand participants to receive professional football training in Germany. This initiative supported by the German Football Association (DFB) will ensure that ‘the chosen ones’ receive, over the next four to six years, in addition to formal football training a sound education in Germany in line with the highest international standards.

The German Consul General in Mumbai, Michael Siebert welcomed the Indian hopefuls and their parents in the legal and consular section. Consul General Siebert described it as a special day for Indo-German relations because “Sport unites people worldwide and builds bridges.” He went on to say, ‘’We are pleased to be a part of this special project. The experience that the Indian youngsters will derive along with their special athletic skills will make them potential future ambassadors of

India. It is through thei
Consul General Siebert greeting the boys
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(© GK Mumbai)
commitment to sport that the relations between the two countries – Germany and India – has touched a new high.’’ Co-initiator of this exchange project is Ronnie Screwvala, Indian entrepreneur and founder of the Sports Company ‘U-Dream Football’.

The talented 15 will return to India as trained athletes and will form a part of the Indian National Team that will participate in the U17 World Championship in 2017. These Championships will be hosted for the very first time in India.