Premier India Football Academy (PIFA) Program Director - Nirvan Shah (UEFA B) was encouraged by the PIFA soccer training program and wanted to reach out to the talented underprivileged children who could not afford to get proper training. He believes that the fire and commitment to succeed is very strong in these children and given the right training in football as well as counselling they will be the future of Indian football.

PIFA Foundation for the benefit of sports, an NGO, has launched a soccer program called “Young Star” to develop and train young talented under privileged football players. The players will be recommended by various NGO’s and selected through the annual PIFA Skills contest program.

Vedanta Group has been the first donor to the foundation. The donation will help sponsor 11 children for the year 2008-2009. The boys & girls are aged 10-12 years. They will be trained & counselled by PIFA coach Father Lawrence twice a week at Our Lady of Nazerath Gymkhana in Bhayander.

Indians from USA have also contributed to help 7 more children, the donors are Mr Tulip Shah, Mrs Chong Ae Shah, Zaffer Merchant, Val Sequeira & Dr Francis Saldhana who has also helped sponsor the India U-16 tour to USA.

The children received full football gear, food and travel allowance during their training period. They will be prepared for their school team, PIFA team and for state trials.

The Vedanta group has also contributed towards the maintenance of the training ground in Bhayander.

PIFA foundation for the benefit of sports is looking to raise funds to help develop soccer in India in the form of players, coaches & facilities from individuals & companies. They will be running a similar program in South Mumbai as well.

A contribution of Rs 20,000 towards the YOUNG STAR Program, will help a talented child between 10-14 years of age by providing

• Year long training at the academy
• 2 kits with uniforms (sponsor name)
• a pair of football shoes
• travel allowance / food allowance on training days

- End -

A Football Academy dedicated to training young Indian children. It strongly believes that the road to India's FIFA World Cup is thru the children, they are the future of India.

PIFA organize camps in Europe & in India with UEFA Coaches as well as runs a training academy in Mumbai. All coaches are AFC / FA/ UEFA licensed. They have a men’s & women’s team in the MDFA league. They also conduct various events related to children’s football.

Tied up with Inspire Academy, Bobby Charlton Soccer & Sports Academy, Rangers Soccer School, AC Milan Academy, Cruzerio EC, Everton FC Youth Academy.

PIFA Vision - India in the 2022 World Cup !!!