New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – In a significant boost to grassroots football development in India, I-League second division club Sudeva FC officially launched its partnership with German Bundesliga giants VfB Stuttgart on Monday. The collaboration aims to enhance youth training programs and provide international exposure to budding Indian footballers.
The event, held in New Delhi, was graced by Sudeva FC President Anuj Gupta, VfB Stuttgart Board member Rouven Kasper, and Germany's Baden-Württemberg Economic Affairs Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. This marks VfB Stuttgart’s first-ever partnership in Asia, reinforcing the German club’s commitment to global youth football development.
“This collaboration is meant for grassroots and youth football. VfB Stuttgart’s top youth coaches will come to Sudeva’s residential academy twice a year to train our coaching staff and players,” Gupta stated.
Beyond training, the partnership will also provide opportunities for Indian players to gain international exposure. “Talented players from our U-13, U-15, and U-17 teams will be identified. If they are good enough, they will be taken to VfB Stuttgart’s academy for further training,” Gupta added.
“I hope this partnership leads to at least one Indian player making it to the Bundesliga in the future. We also aim to develop players who can represent India at the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” he said.
“These exposure tournaments will continue,” Gupta confirmed, underlining the importance of such experiences in bridging the gap between Indian and European football standards.
“This collaboration with Sudeva is our first in Asia. We are here to spot and nurture real footballing talent. Our aim is to provide professional training to both players and coaches, ensuring long-term development,” Kasper stated.
While Stuttgart already has a partnership with Brazil’s São Paulo FC, Kasper clarified that the nature of this collaboration is unique. “The engagement with Sudeva is based on real football development. We want to help identify and nurture top-quality players for the future,” he added.
With this pioneering collaboration, Sudeva FC and VfB Stuttgart are set to reshape youth football training in India, fostering a new generation of players capable of competing on the global stage.
The event, held in New Delhi, was graced by Sudeva FC President Anuj Gupta, VfB Stuttgart Board member Rouven Kasper, and Germany's Baden-Württemberg Economic Affairs Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. This marks VfB Stuttgart’s first-ever partnership in Asia, reinforcing the German club’s commitment to global youth football development.
A Three-Year Vision for Growth
Under the three-year agreement, VfB Stuttgart’s youth coaches will visit Sudeva FC twice a year to train both the Delhi-based club’s coaching staff and its residential academy players. Speaking on the partnership, Gupta emphasized the focus on grassroots and youth-level development.“This collaboration is meant for grassroots and youth football. VfB Stuttgart’s top youth coaches will come to Sudeva’s residential academy twice a year to train our coaching staff and players,” Gupta stated.
Beyond training, the partnership will also provide opportunities for Indian players to gain international exposure. “Talented players from our U-13, U-15, and U-17 teams will be identified. If they are good enough, they will be taken to VfB Stuttgart’s academy for further training,” Gupta added.
German Expertise to Shape Indian Talent
Germany has long been regarded as one of the best footballing nations in terms of youth development. Gupta hopes that this collaboration will pave the way for Indian players to break into top European leagues.“I hope this partnership leads to at least one Indian player making it to the Bundesliga in the future. We also aim to develop players who can represent India at the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” he said.
Expanding International Exposure
Sudeva FC has already been working on increasing exposure for its young talents. The club’s U-15 team recently participated in the prestigious MTU Cup in Germany, where they faced youth teams from European giants such as Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, Borussia Dortmund, and Olympique Marseille. Notably, Sudeva FC U-15 held Bayern Munich’s youth side to a draw, a remarkable achievement for an Indian club.“These exposure tournaments will continue,” Gupta confirmed, underlining the importance of such experiences in bridging the gap between Indian and European football standards.
A Historic Step for VfB Stuttgart in Asia
VfB Stuttgart, a two-time Bundesliga champion and last season’s Bundesliga runners-up (2023-24), has been actively engaging with Sudeva FC for the past three years. Board member Rouven Kasper reaffirmed the club’s genuine interest in talent development rather than mere marketing benefits.“This collaboration with Sudeva is our first in Asia. We are here to spot and nurture real footballing talent. Our aim is to provide professional training to both players and coaches, ensuring long-term development,” Kasper stated.
While Stuttgart already has a partnership with Brazil’s São Paulo FC, Kasper clarified that the nature of this collaboration is unique. “The engagement with Sudeva is based on real football development. We want to help identify and nurture top-quality players for the future,” he added.
With this pioneering collaboration, Sudeva FC and VfB Stuttgart are set to reshape youth football training in India, fostering a new generation of players capable of competing on the global stage.