News for 'youth football development'

Pucovski Sues School Over Concussion Protocol Failures

Pucovski Sues School Over Concussion Protocol Failures

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Former Australian cricketer Will Pucovski has initiated legal proceedings against his former school, Brighton Grammar, alleging that the institution failed to adhere to proper concussion protocols after he sustained a head injury during a football training session in 2014. His lawyers claim this incident led to a traumatic brain injury, making him vulnerable to subsequent concussions and ultimately forcing his early retirement from professional cricket at age 27.

Mizoram CM Sets Ambitious Futsal Goals For State

Mizoram CM Sets Ambitious Futsal Goals For State

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has called for the state to become a hub for Indian futsal, producing players capable of leading the national team to the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Speaking at a felicitation for Tlangnuam Futsal Club, he emphasised nurturing talent for international success and highlighted government investment in sports infrastructure.

Pep Guardiola turns down Italy role as search for coach continues

Pep Guardiola turns down Italy role as search for coach continues

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to coach the Italy national team, a source familiar with the discussions said on Friday, confirming media reports.

'I should've been India coach': Constantine blasts AIFF

'I should've been India coach': Constantine blasts AIFF

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Former India football coach Stephen Constantine has expressed deep disappointment over the national team's current decline, criticising the All India Football Federation for its decisions, including the appointment of Khalid Jamil as coach despite his lack of international experience. Constantine, who led India to a historic FIFA ranking of 96, believes he should still be managing the team and calls for wider structural reforms in Indian football.

Andrea Pirlo set for Italy job after Guardiola rejection

Andrea Pirlo set for Italy job after Guardiola rejection

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner and former Juventus manager, has reportedly been appointed as the new head coach of the Italian national football team on a four-year deal.

Transfer Deadline Day 2026: Aston Villa Sign 18-Year-Old Ibrahim Mbaye From PSG

Transfer Deadline Day 2026: Aston Villa Sign 18-Year-Old Ibrahim Mbaye From PSG

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old Senegal forward, has completed a permanent transfer from Paris St Germain to Premier League club Aston Villa.

BJP Faces West Bengal Investment Test

BJP Faces West Bengal Investment Test

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

West Bengal could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies, points out Kanika Datta.

Telangana CM denied US trip, MEA cites 'non-conformity of norms'

Telangana CM denied US trip, MEA cites 'non-conformity of norms'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's planned visit to the United States has been denied political clearance by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), citing non-conformity with laid down norms, forcing him to cancel the US leg of his 'TelanganaRising' delegation tour and return to Hyderabad earlier than planned.

Why Italy risk missing third straight football World Cup

Why Italy risk missing third straight football World Cup

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Italy's consistent failure to qualify for recent World Cups stems from a deep-seated issue in nurturing young football talent, according to 2006 World Cup winners Marco Amelia and Massimo Oddo.

Italian football in crisis after European competition exit

Italian football in crisis after European competition exit

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

Italian football is experiencing a significant crisis following the failure of its clubs in European competitions and the national team's continued absence from the World Cup.

Italy approached Ancelotti before Guardiola for national coach role

Italy approached Ancelotti before Guardiola for national coach role

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Italy's technical director Paolo Maldini revealed that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) first approached Carlo Ancelotti for the national team coaching job before engaging with Pep Guardiola, as they seek to rebuild the Azzurri after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

South Africa World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies aged 25

South Africa World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies aged 25

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who played a key role in his country's 2026 World Cup campaign, has died at the age of 25, with no cause of death immediately provided.

Russian Athletes Closer To Full Return In International Sports

Russian Athletes Closer To Full Return In International Sports

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, easing restrictions on Russian athletes. This move, welcomed by the Kremlin, allows Olympic sports bodies to consider reintegrating Russian athletes as neutrals, though some sports like track and field are not following suit.

Why Ranjit Bajaj Rejected India Manager Role For FIFA U-15 World Cup

Why Ranjit Bajaj Rejected India Manager Role For FIFA U-15 World Cup

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

Ranjit Bajaj has declined the manager role for the India U-15 men's national team for the upcoming FIFA U-15 World Cup, citing fundamental differences in footballing philosophy with head coach Bibiano Fernandes.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina's passion faces Spain's precision in final showdown

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina's passion faces Spain's precision in final showdown

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

The World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.

Australia Overwhelms India in AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Clash

Australia Overwhelms India in AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Clash

Rediff.com5 Apr 2026

India's U20 women's team suffered a 0-5 defeat against Australia in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, leaving their knockout stage hopes hanging by a thread.

Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das Passes Away at 66

Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das Passes Away at 66

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

Kushal Das, former AIFF general secretary, passed away at 66. He played a key role in developing Indian football, including organising the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das Passes Away

Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das Passes Away

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

Kushal Das played a pivotal role in organising the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in India.

How Sports Can Positively Impact Young People

How Sports Can Positively Impact Young People

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlights the transformative role of sports in shaping young minds and fostering community spirit at a documentary screening.

India U20 Women's Football Team Faces Japan in Asian Cup Opener

India U20 Women's Football Team Faces Japan in Asian Cup Opener

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

The Indian U20 women's national football team is set to compete in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026, starting with a match against Japan. This marks India's return to the tournament after two decades, with the team aiming for World Cup qualification.

FIFA to lead $75m project to build football ecosystem in Gaza

FIFA to lead $75m project to build football ecosystem in Gaza

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

FIFA and Board of Peace to support Gaza reconstruction through football

Historic! Transgender Teams Debut in Jamshedpur League

Historic! Transgender Teams Debut in Jamshedpur League

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'Football is such a beautiful sport, and for the first time, I felt like I wasn't being seen for my gender, but for my game.'

PM: Young MP footballers to train under German coach

PM: Young MP footballers to train under German coach

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Prime Minister earlier revealed during Lex Fridman's show that the passion for the sport in that village is so intense that their annual football match attracts between 20,000 to 25,000 spectators from neighbouring areas.

Indian football shake-up: ISL clubs want full control

Indian football shake-up: ISL clubs want full control

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Friday formally proposed a fundamental restructuring of the country's top-tier professional football league, seeking perpetual operational and commercial rights for a club-owned league model while retaining the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the sport's regulator.

Bengal govt to probe Messi event chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

Bengal govt to probe Messi event chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

Rediff.com13 May 2026

The West Bengal government is set to investigate the chaotic scenes that marred Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata last year, with concerns raised over ticket sales, security, and administrative lapses.

Injury-riddled Brazil face Morocco test in World Cup opener

Injury-riddled Brazil face Morocco test in World Cup opener

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Carlos Ancelotti's Brazil commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against plucky Morocco, who come into the mega event on the back of some pre-tournament turbulence.

Mizoram Seeks To Revive Hockey Fortunes With New Academy

Mizoram Seeks To Revive Hockey Fortunes With New Academy

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Mizoram Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar met with Union Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao to discuss the development of sports in Mizoram, with a focus on reviving hockey and expanding training facilities.

J&K Governor Accuses Pakistan Of Pushing Drugs

J&K Governor Accuses Pakistan Of Pushing Drugs

Rediff.com3 May 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has accused Pakistan of targeting the region's youth by flooding the streets with drugs, vowing to combat the menace and protect the younger generation.

How To Harness Sports For Social Transformation: L-G Sinha Explains

How To Harness Sports For Social Transformation: L-G Sinha Explains

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised the importance of harnessing sports as a force for social transformation at a national 'Chintan Shivir' in Srinagar. He highlighted the need for collaboration between schools, communities, and families to create ecosystems where young athletes can discover their potential, and urged for greater support and resources for physical education teachers in schools.

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.

AFC bans Mohun Bagan amid Indian football chaos

AFC bans Mohun Bagan amid Indian football chaos

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

At a time when Indian football is staring at unprecedented uncertainty with its domestic season in limbo, the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday delivered a triple blow to the country's top club

How Yan Diomande Went From Florida To World Cup

How Yan Diomande Went From Florida To World Cup

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of football, going from playing in a Florida high school to representing his country at the World Cup. His journey involved overcoming cultural challenges and excelling in both the United States and Europe, ultimately leading to his selection for the Ivory Coast national team.

FIFA-AIFF football development program in seven Indian states

FIFA-AIFF football development program in seven Indian states

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

India has been termed the sleeping giant of world football by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) president Sepp Blatter, and to awaken the dormant potential of the region, the international football association has launched a new program in partnership with the football associations of seven Indian states.

Young Tigresses Face Japan Test In AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

Young Tigresses Face Japan Test In AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

Rediff.com4 May 2026

India's U17 women's team faces a tough challenge against Japan in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup after an initial defeat to Australia. Coach Pamela Conti emphasises the need for a focused and perfect match to compete against the formidable Japanese side.

Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger to help develop Indian football

Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger to help develop Indian football

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Former Arsenal manager and world governing body FIFA's current chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger will play a role in Indian football's grassroots programmes and talent development.

Indian football awakening? Ex-Aussie star joins camp!

Indian football awakening? Ex-Aussie star joins camp!

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football

Anil Kumble warns: Don't rush Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Anil Kumble warns: Don't rush Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

Anil Kumble advises caution on fast-tracking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to the Indian cricket team, while also discussing India's potential to host the 2036 Olympics and the importance of grassroots sports development.

'The sooner ISL starts, the better for Indian football'

'The sooner ISL starts, the better for Indian football'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

India have slumped to 142 in the FIFA rankings -- their lowest in nearly a decade.

Chhattisgarh to Host Khelo India Tribal Games Annually After Successful Inaugural Edition

Chhattisgarh to Host Khelo India Tribal Games Annually After Successful Inaugural Edition

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held annually in the state following the success of the inaugural edition. The event aims to provide a platform for tribal athletes to showcase their talent and gain national recognition.

48 hours after rout, revolt brews in TMC, leaders blame top brass

48 hours after rout, revolt brews in TMC, leaders blame top brass

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Following a significant defeat to the BJP, Trinamool Congress leaders are openly criticising the party leadership, citing mismanagement and lack of support as key factors in the election outcome.