FC Bayern Youth Cup India

While at MLS I was part of the team that created a program called Sueno MLS (MLS Dream) which was essentially a nationwide talent hunt intended to identify the best young Hispanic football players in the US. The agency that helped to create, execute and expand the program was called Primetime Group. My two main contacts at Primetime Group were Fernando Orvananos and Alma Angeles. They are both great friends of mine and excellent at what they do. Before I left the US for India, I was clear that I was going to bring the Sueno MLS talent hunt model to India and have Fernando and Alma come out to run the program as I knew
that Indian football would only win with the combination of a professional grassroots football model and 2 very intelligent, committed people executing it.


Fortunately, adidas India and FC Bayern Munich provided that opportunity. adidas India hired Libero Sports India to conceptualize and support the execution of the FC Bayern Youth Cup India which is a 2 city talent hunt for players 13-16 years of age. In addition, adidas India were open to having Fernando and Alma come out to India in order to ensure the best available resources were put towards the planning and execution of this program.

Fernando and Alma flew into Delhi and we spent a hectic weekend doing a Delhi tour and then a day trip to the Taj Mahal before getting to work. The vision we set was achieved. We filled the 420 spots online after just 3 days and ended up executing a fantastic talent hunt. I learned a few things from this experience:

1. With the right people on both sides you can take successful models from the US and effectively bring them into India

2. The youth community in Delhi is definitely interested in playing football

3. There is a lot of talent in the Northeast of India (i.e. Mizoram, Shillong, etc…)

Our next leg is Mumbai in early December. The model works and is something I envision one day taking all over the country. I’m clear that we will find the next Indian player who plays in MLS through this type of talent hunt.

I want to thank adidas India and FC Bayern Munich for investing in grassroots football in India and providing the pathway for Fernando and Alma to contribute to the Indian football scene.





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