Developing The Football Ecosystem

To support the growth of Indian football, we run various initiatives to increase participation and improve the quality of talent in football. Beginning from the age of five, our initiatives lay emphasis on the development of grassroots football in our country.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) academy, launched in May 2015, helps identify talented young footballers and provides them an environment of excellence to unlock their potential both on and off the pitch.

Our 360-degree approach ensures they get the best residential, educational, nutritional, sports and coaching facilities. Supported entirely by the Reliance Foundation, each year RFYC offers fully funded scholarships to young talents from across the country following a comprehensive yearlong scouting process. Until now, 27 players from RFYC have signed professional contracts with ISL, I League Clubs from its first three graduating batches. Learn more at (https://www.rfyoungchamps.org/#about)

RFYC Naupang League, launched in 2022, in collaboration with the Mizoram Football Association, strives to establish a hyper-local pathway to grassroots football and promote football in Mizoram, which produces some of the best footballers in the country. The inaugural season of Naupang League saw over 160 teams with more than 1,500 boys and girls take part.

Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) serves as a platform for the top U-21 football players, encouraging participation and providing increased competitive game time. In 2023, the tournament, India's largest and most inclusive youth event, featured over 50 clubs across 9 regions, playing nearly 300+ games. Learn more at (https://www.rfyouthsports.com/football/rfdl/about-rfdl)

Reliance Foundation also partnered with the Premier League to host the Next Generation Cup, which provides youth teams of Indian clubs with the invaluable opportunity to play competitive games with reserve teams of Premier League clubs.